ManilaTimes: How Iran Sees the Path to Peace

ManilaTimes: JAVAD Zarif vice president for Strategic Affairs and former Foreign Minister of Islamic Republic of Iran under the leadership of President Masoud Pezeshkian seeks to improve relations with its neighboring states to create a regional order that promotes stability wealth and security. Zarif stated this in an article published in the US Foreign Affairs magazine recently. He highlighted the challenges facing the region including foreign interference, wars sectarian conflicts, terrorism, drug trafficking, refugee crises and environmental degradation

To tackle these challenges, Zarif said Iran aims to pursue economic integration, energy security, freedom of navigation, environmental protection and interfaith dialogue. These efforts could eventually lead to a new regional arrangement that reduces the Persian Gulf's reliance on external powers and encourages stakeholders to address conflicts through dispute-resolution mechanisms.

In the article, titled "How Iran Sees the Path to Peace – The Islamic Republic Is Open to Negotiations—Including With America," Zarif suggested that Iran and its neighbors could begin by mimicking the Helsinki process, which led to the formation of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

They could use the never-implemented mandate that the UN Security Council gave to the UN secretary-general in 1987, under Resolution 598. That resolution, which ended the Iran-Iraq War, called on the secretary-general to consult with Iran, Iraq and other regional states to explore measures that could enhance security and stability in the Persian Gulf.

Zarif believed this provision could serve as the legal basis for comprehensive regional talks. He said Iran and the Arab world should, thus, be able to work through their differences, as Tehran's vision aligns with the interests of Arab countries, which also seek a more stable and prosperous region for the sake of future generations.

"Iran's support for Palestinian resistance could help kick-start such cooperation. The Arab world, after all, is united with Iran in its support for restoring the rights of the Palestinian people. Iran can continue to play a constructive role in ending the current humanitarian nightmare in Gaza and work with the international community to pursue a lasting and democratic solution to the conflict," Zarif wrote in the article.

He added that while Iran would agree to any solution acceptable to Palestinians, its government believes the best way out of this century-long ordeal would be a referendum. In this referendum, everyone living between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea — Muslims, Christians, and Jews and Palestinians (including those abroad) — would determine a viable future system of governance.

On relations with the United States and its Western allies, Zarif noted that, after more than 20 years of economic restrictions, the US and its allies should recognize that Iran does not respond to pressure, and their coercive measures have consistently backfired. Instead, he suggested they adopt a more constructive approach, accepting Iran as an integral part of regional stability and seeking collaborative solutions to shared challenges.

"All countries, Iran and the United States included, have a mutual interest in addressing the underlying causes of regional unrest," he said.

Zarif stressed that rather than increasing pressure on Iran, the West should pursue positive-sum solutions. He cited the scrapped nuclear deal (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) as a unique example, urging the West to revive it. He called for concrete and practical actions, including political, legislative and mutually beneficial investment measures, to ensure Iran reaps the promised economic benefits.

Should US President-elect Donald Trump decide to take such steps, Zarif said, Iran would be willing to have a dialogue that would benefit both Tehran and Washington. He underscored that constructive engagement with Iran, coupled with a commitment to multilateral diplomacy, could help build a framework for global security and stability in the Persian Gulf. This would reduce tensions and foster long-term prosperity and development.

He said, "This shift is crucial for overcoming entrenched conflicts. Although today's Iran is confident that it can fight to defend itself, it wants peace, and it is determined to build a better future."

"Iran can be an able and willing partner, as long as its partnerships are based on mutual respect and equal footing. Let us not miss this opportunity for a new beginning," Zarif concluded.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/12/14/tmt-newswire/iran-signals-willingness-for-regional-stability-and-security-talks/2021103