‘Six Binding Principles’ by Khamenei for Iranian Foreign Policy

 Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during his reception of Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials in Tehran.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during his reception of Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials in Tehran.
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‘Six Binding Principles’ by Khamenei for Iranian Foreign Policy

 Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during his reception of Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials in Tehran.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during his reception of Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials in Tehran.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei recently articulated “six binding principles” that define Tehran’s foreign policy in a formal statement.

Khamenei voiced his endorsement of the current administration’s strategy in fostering relationships with neighboring nations, underscoring the importance of maintaining astute and adaptable diplomacy while upholding core values.

He also issued a warning against what he labeled as “diplomacy of appeasement.”

Khamenei emphasized the importance of engaging with like-minded countries and Islamic nations, according to a statement on his official website.

He underscored the significance of a robust foreign policy and an efficient diplomatic apparatus as crucial elements for successful governance.

“The current government’s policy of establishing relations with neighboring countries is highly important and correct,” said Khamenei.

Also, he cautioned against foreign interference that fuels tensions between Iran and its neighbors.

Khamenei’s remarks on regional developments come after Saudi Arabia and Iran, mediated by China, announced an agreement on March 10 to restore diplomatic relations and reopen embassies and consulates within two months.

Regarding Tehran’s relations with Beijing and Moscow, Khamenei said: “Today, the support of some major and important world powers who share the same orientations as Iran in certain international policy movements and fundamentals is unprecedented.”

“We must appreciate this opportunity and enhance relations with those countries,” he added.

Khamenei further imposed six guidelines for the diplomatic apparatus to adhere to, emphasizing that compliance with these criteria is indicative of a successful foreign policy.

He stressed that failure to adhere to these guidelines would result in challenges within the realm of foreign policy theory, diplomatic performance, and its operations.

The first principle that Khamenei outlined is the ability to convincingly explain the rationale behind the country’s approach to various issues.

The other five principles included: “Having an effective, directive presence in various political-economic phenomena, events and currents in the world,” “Overcoming and reducing threatening policies and decisions against Iran,” “Weakening dangerous centers,” “Strengthening the governments and organizations that are allies with Iran as well as developing the country’s strategic depth,” and “The ability to detect the hidden layers in regional and global decisions and actions.”

Khamenei stressed that a good and successful foreign policy will improve the state of Iran.

 



Taiwan Begins 5-Day Military Drill with Tanks Patrolling Streets

This picture taken and released by Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) on June 22, 2026 shows a row of armored military vehicles driving along the highway in Taoyuan, Taiwan. (AFP photo / CNA Photo)
This picture taken and released by Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) on June 22, 2026 shows a row of armored military vehicles driving along the highway in Taoyuan, Taiwan. (AFP photo / CNA Photo)
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Taiwan Begins 5-Day Military Drill with Tanks Patrolling Streets

This picture taken and released by Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) on June 22, 2026 shows a row of armored military vehicles driving along the highway in Taoyuan, Taiwan. (AFP photo / CNA Photo)
This picture taken and released by Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) on June 22, 2026 shows a row of armored military vehicles driving along the highway in Taoyuan, Taiwan. (AFP photo / CNA Photo)

Taiwan kicked off a five-day set of military drills on Monday aimed at boosting the island's combat readiness in case of a Chinese military attack.

In the city of Taoyuan, home to the island's largest international airport, tanks drove down city streets and highways, videos and photos of the exercise showed, as armored vehicles from the Army’s 269th Infantry Brigade conducted combat readiness patrols morning.

The Immediate Combat Readiness Exercises are meant to test how rapidly military units can deploy, especially in the face of a possible sudden escalation of Chinese grey-zone warfare. Grey-zone tactics refer to a range of aggressive tactics that vary from navy ship patrols to drone flights, but fall short of direct combat.

The exercises, announced Sunday afternoon, are meant to be realistic, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement, with an emphasis on “real-time, live-fire and on-site."

These exercises are designed to simulate what would happen before enemy forces launched their ships, according to Taiwan's semi-official Central News Agency. The series of exercises could also include impromptu ones in the future, including real-time responses to Chinese military drills.

China's People's Liberation Army sent 23 aircraft towards Taiwan from Sunday into Monday morning, according to Taiwan's defense ministry. That was accompanied by seven navy ships and five other Chinese government ships. China sends war planes, drones and navy ships towards the island on a daily basis.

Taiwan regularly conducts combat readiness drills as it seeks to bolster its defense capabilities amid ongoing military pressure from China, which claims the self-governed island as its own territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring it under its control. Earlier in June, Taiwan fired rockets in China's direction for the first time as part of a military exercise.


EU Chief Hails 'Statesman' Starmer after Resignation

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gives a press statement on sanctions against Russia at the EU headquarters in Brussels on June 9, 2026. (Photo by Nicolas TUCAT / AFP)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gives a press statement on sanctions against Russia at the EU headquarters in Brussels on June 9, 2026. (Photo by Nicolas TUCAT / AFP)
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EU Chief Hails 'Statesman' Starmer after Resignation

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gives a press statement on sanctions against Russia at the EU headquarters in Brussels on June 9, 2026. (Photo by Nicolas TUCAT / AFP)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gives a press statement on sanctions against Russia at the EU headquarters in Brussels on June 9, 2026. (Photo by Nicolas TUCAT / AFP)

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Monday praised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for bolstering "European" security after he announced his resignation.

"It can take many leaders years to grow into the statesman you became in just two years. European and Ukrainian security is stronger because of you. Thank you, dear Keir," the European Commission president posted online.


Leaders of European Powers to Meet for Ukraine Talks

 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks to the press at the European Union leaders' summit in Brussels, Belgium June 19, 2026. (Reuters)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks to the press at the European Union leaders' summit in Brussels, Belgium June 19, 2026. (Reuters)
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Leaders of European Powers to Meet for Ukraine Talks

 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks to the press at the European Union leaders' summit in Brussels, Belgium June 19, 2026. (Reuters)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks to the press at the European Union leaders' summit in Brussels, Belgium June 19, 2026. (Reuters)

The leaders of Europe's top military powers will meet Wednesday in Berlin, Italy said on Monday, as Europe aims to play a bigger role in trying to end the Ukraine war.

The government said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni would attend the meeting with her British, French, German and Polish counterparts.

The announcement came just before British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would resign but remain in office until a new leader is chosen, meaning he could still attend the meeting.

The E5 group was formed in 2024 following increasing calls for European rearmament and to improve coordination to support Ukraine against the Russian invasion.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had said the meeting would take place this week without specifying a date.

At last week's G7 summit attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, leaders agreed to increase supplies of air defense equipment to Ukraine and boost sanctions on Russia.

The G7 leaders also agreed to grant licenses for Ukraine-based companies to produce long-range missiles and air defense systems, a diplomatic source said.

But Zelensky has called for Europe to do more as US efforts to end the fighting have faded.

A European Union official said EU chief Antonio Costa's office had made "brief contacts at diplomatic level" with Moscow aimed at opening communication channels.

But some EU states have been wary about reaching out to Kremlin, with diplomats saying several leaders pushed backed against Costa's efforts at last week's EU summit in Brussels.