WANA (Jan 23) – Strategic Deputy to Iran’s President, Mohammad Javad Zarif, stated in a Q&A session in Davos, Switzerland: “If we had intended to build nuclear weapons, we would have done so by now. Nuclear programs aimed at building weapons are not like Iran’s nuclear program; they are entirely secretive.”

 

As part of his diplomatic activities in Davos, Zarif also responded to questions from Fareed Zakaria, the CNN host and analyst, on Wednesday evening.

 

Resistance Will Persist as Long as Occupation Continues

In a question, Fareed Zakaria claimed that Iran holds a weak position in the region. Referring to developments in Syria, the 15-month war in Gaza, and Israel’s war against Hezbollah, he asked the Strategic Deputy to the President about Iran’s role in the region.

 

In response, Zarif said: “If you recall, in 1982, Israel occupied Beirut during its war against Lebanon to completely eradicate Palestinian resistance. From 1981 to 1987, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, and Hamas were formed. Along these lines, I urge others not to fantasize about eliminating Hamas, Hezbollah, or severing Iran’s influence in the region, nor to express satisfaction over such ideas. Resistance will persist as long as occupation continues.”

 

The Deputy emphasized: “Resistance against Israel’s genocide, occupation, and apartheid existed even before the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Resistance gained strength precisely when Israel believed it had crushed Palestinian resistance.”

 

He added: “Now, look at Gaza. Hamas is still present there. Netanyahu has failed to achieve any of his goals, including the destruction of Hamas. On the contrary, Israel was forced to accept a temporary ceasefire, which I hope continues for the sake of the 50,000 civilians massacred by Israel. Without it, another 50,000 could be killed. Resistance is not dead. Others’ hopes for its disappearance are based on misleading information and a narrative constructed by Israel. This is not just an Israeli-Palestinian issue; it is an Iranian-Israeli one.”

 

Members of the Resistance Axis Do Not Take Orders from Iran

The Strategic Deputy stressed: “The members of the Resistance Axis have never followed orders from Iran. We had no knowledge of October 7 (referring to the start of recent events); we were shocked, too. We were supposed to meet with the Americans on October 9 regarding the JCPOA, but the Al-Aqsa Flood operation prevented that meeting.”

 

In response to Zakaria’s claim about Iran arming resistance forces, Zarif said: “Let’s not discuss this. Many, many forces and countries arm others, yet they have not succeeded. Let me make it clear: we have always supported human rights.”

 

He further emphasized: “Israel’s actions regarding human rights are under the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Due to the ICJ’s ruling against Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, they cannot travel to Davos. Israel’s president has traveled to Davos because, as he himself admitted, he holds no significant responsibility; otherwise, he would have had to appear in The Hague.”

 

Zarif concluded: “If you want to solve the Palestinian issue, don’t focus on Iran; focus on the roots of the Palestinian issue. As long as the Palestinian issue exists, resistance and the support of the international community, including America’s Arab allies, for this resistance will also exist.”

 

We Fought for Eight Years and Did Not Give Up an Inch of Iran’s Land

In response to Zakaria’s claim about “the destruction of Iran’s air defenses by Israel,” Zarif asserted: “This is merely a claim.”

 

He added: “We fought against Iraq without any air defenses or weapons. When the U.S., France, Germany, the UK, the Soviet Union, and China were all supporting Iraq, we fought for eight years without anything and did not surrender even an inch of Iran’s land to them.”

 

The Iranian Deputy President emphasized: “The claim about the destruction of Iran’s air defenses is a fabricated story, and there are reasons behind such storytelling. Yes, damages occurred, but no air defense was destroyed. We fought for eight years without weapons against a country supported by everyone, and not a single piece of our territory was occupied. This was unprecedented in Iran’s history over the past 220 years. In the 220 years before the Iraq war, Iran lost every war it participated in.”

 

He added: “The Islamic Republic of Iran is the first government in Iran’s history in the past 250 years that has not lost any territory. So, we are not talking about a weak government here.”

 

Iran Is Not a Security Threat

In response to Zakaria’s question about U.S. intelligence claims that Iran is weeks away from building a nuclear weapon, Zarif stated:
“If we wanted to build a nuclear weapon, we would have done so by now. Nuclear programs aimed at developing weapons are not like Iran’s nuclear program. Those programs are entirely clandestine.”

 

He added: “Those, such as the Israelis, who claim to be worried about our nuclear program and insist Iran could build a nuclear weapon in just a few days, are the same ones who opposed the JCPOA. The JCPOA could have kept Iran away from nuclear weapons for 15 years. People like Netanyahu, who claimed in the 1990s that Iran would have a nuclear weapon within six months, have been making such claims for nearly 30 years. Now, they say Iran can build a weapon in just a few days.”

 

Zarif stressed: “We call this ‘creating insecurity in the name of security.’ Iran is not a security threat. Some portray Iran as a security threat. Iranophobia and Islamophobia are tools they use to justify actions like genocide in Gaza. They claim their actions are directed against Iran, but in reality, they are committing genocide against children in Gaza.”

 

Trump’s Advisors Misinterpreted the Situation, Not Trump Himself

In response to Zakaria’s question about Zarif’s article in Foreign Affairs and his remarks suggesting there was an opportunity for a nuclear deal between Iran and Trump, Zarif stated: “We hope others choose logic and rationality. But let me elaborate on this. In February 2017, John Bolton traveled to France. In 2016, he had authored a report on how Trump could exit the JCPOA (Iran nuclear deal).”

 

Zarif emphasized: “Bolton had received around $40,000 in bribes from the MEK (Mujahedin-e-Khalq). During his speech at the MEK summit, he said that by the following year (2018), they would celebrate in Tehran. By April, he became Trump’s National Security Advisor. Pompeo, two days after being confirmed as Trump’s Secretary of State, traveled to Israel and requested Netanyahu to stage a fabricated presentation about the stolen confidential documents from Iran.”

 

He added: “On May 8, Trump withdrew from the JCPOA. When you look at these developments and talk to world leaders, you realize they had convinced Trump that Iran was on the brink of collapse and that a sudden exit from the JCPOA would be the final nail in Iran’s coffin. In the second phase, the alleged documents showcased by Netanyahu helped the U.S. gain global support for its withdrawal from the JCPOA. Both points reflect the misjudgments of Trump’s advisors, not Trump himself.”

 

Trump Has Removed Misguided Advisors

Zarif stressed: “This time, Trump has removed Bolton, Hook (Brian Hook), Pompeo, and others from his administration. He has also canceled protection for Bolton, which was based on the absurd claim that Iran wanted to assassinate him. That claim has always been false. In this context, I hope that in his second term, Trump will be more determined, realistic, and informed and realize that his withdrawal from the JCPOA—something he admitted was done for Israel—has led to significant advancements in Iran’s nuclear program.”

 

He added: “During his inauguration, Trump emphasized that this time, he would not do anything for other countries. According to American officials, Iran is just days away from being capable of building a nuclear weapon. Again, I stress we are not seeking nuclear weapons. However, Trump has failed in his objectives for leaving the JCPOA, namely forcing Iran to limit its nuclear program.”

 

Zarif further stated: “Of course, he (Trump) imposed severe sanctions on Iran. He should know that the weaker segments of Iranian society are suffering because of his sanctions.”

 

The Only Solution to the Palestine Issue Is the Establishment of an Independent Palestinian State

In response to a question about the desire in Washington for a comprehensive agreement with Iran, which would include “ending support for Iran’s proxies,” Zarif stated: “We have never had proxies in the region.”

 

He added: “The U.S. has always emphasized the need for a regional agreement. Well, now we have a regional agreement. Iran’s relations with regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and others, are good. I have also emphasized in a note that we need to establish a regional organization to expand regional dialogue.”

 

Iran Is Not the Root of the Crisis

Zarif stressed: “Other countries claim that Iran’s influence in the region has been cut off. Well, if that’s true, then why are you worried? If Iran has no power in the region, why the concern? The claim about Iran’s support for the Axis of Resistance and Washington’s demand to end this support is misdirecting the issue. The root of the regional crisis and the emergence of resistance lies in Tel Aviv—in Israel’s occupation and genocide against Palestinians. The root of this crisis is not in Iran.”

 

He further stated: “For decades, the U.S. and Israel have pressured Iran to forget the Palestine issue, but the root of the problem does not lie in Iran. The only solution to the Palestine issue is the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. With or without Iran’s support, as long as an independent Palestinian state is not achieved, more resistance against occupation will emerge. Iran has always supported the resistance of people in their pursuit of their rights. However, our support has not caused the resistance to form—it is the occupation that has led to the resistance.”

 

Zarif said: “Resistance has emerged because of the occupation.”

 

Iranian VP on Women’s Rights and Diversity: Progress Toward the Right Direction

In response to Zakaria’s claim about women’s rights in Iran and the promises made by the President during his election campaign, the Strategic Deputy to the President stated: “I am proud to say that I played a role in forming Iran’s cabinet, which includes four women. When you walk the streets of Tehran, you will see that, contrary to the law, some women do not wear the hijab, but the government has chosen not to pressure them. President Pezeshkian has fulfilled his promise.”

 

Zarif added: “Minorities in Iran have become governors and hold other high-ranking positions. There is also a minority representative in the cabinet. Pezeshkian takes pride in these achievements. While these steps are not enough, they are progressing in the right direction.”

 

Freedom of Expression and Political Diversity in Iran

The Vice President emphasized: “Unlike other countries, all voices are heard in Iran. We have various political parties, and all voices—whether aligned with or opposing the government—are active.” He concluded: “I respect all differing viewpoints.”