Zarif: Negotiate with All But the Israel
WANA (Feb 03) – Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s Deputy for Strategic Affairs, emphasized that negotiations should be pursued with all parties except Israel, adding, “We must understand the U.S. well.”
Zarif underscored the role of narratives in shaping global politics, stating, “We live in a world of narratives, or rather, a war of narratives. No one understands this better than the Zionists. Israel was the first to craft new narratives after the Cold War.”
Israel’s Narrative Shift: From Arab Enemy to Iran as a Threat
Zarif pointed out that in the 1990s, as Israel sought peace talks with Arab states, it deliberately shifted its narrative, replacing Arabs with Iran as the primary enemy. “It was explicitly stated by Uri Lubrani. Israel needed an enemy, and when Arabs were no longer suitable for that role, Iran was made the new adversary,” he explained.
At the same time, Israel began crafting a new global image of Iran as an international threat. “They claimed Iran was just six months away from nuclear weapons. And when did they say this? In the 1990s,” Zarif recalled.
The Reality Behind Israel’s Fear of Iran
Zarif dismissed the notion that Israel fears Iran because of nuclear weapons, arguing that if this were the case, Israel should have supported the JCPOA (Iran nuclear deal), which would have delayed Iran’s nuclear progress by at least 15 years. “Instead, Israel has continuously worked to securitize Iran, and we have had to craft our response accordingly,” he said.
He warned that Israel is now building a new narrative about Iran with two key elements: “On one hand, it portrays itself as a victim, claiming that Iran seeks to commit another Holocaust against them. On the other hand, when it engages in repression and genocide, it portrays itself as powerful. How does it reconcile these contradictions? By saying: ‘We will never allow history to repeat itself.’”
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Zarif also noted that Israel is promoting the idea that Iran is both at its weakest and most dangerous point, a notion that is unfortunately gaining traction both within Iran and among Western nations. “They claim Iran’s defensive capabilities have weakened while simultaneously arguing that Iran is so desperate that it is now compelled to seek nuclear weapons. The result of this dual narrative is that Iran’s perceived weakness becomes a justification for striking it,” he warned.
Breaking the Narrative Trap
“We must break this narrative,” Zarif insisted. “Some might argue that the solution is launching ‘True Promise 3’, but we must also consider whether this would play into Israel’s hands by reinforcing their claim that Iran is dangerous.”
He rejected the alternative of retreating, stating, “Some may suggest that we admit our mistakes and back down, but that is neither necessary nor correct.”
Lessons from Iran’s Past Resilience
Zarif reminded that Iran’s resistance during the eight-year war with Iraq was based on three key factors: self-belief instilled by the late Imam Khomeini, the people’s participation, and the role of the armed forces. “This sense of self-reliance has continued under the leadership of the Supreme Leader,” he said.
He emphasized the shift away from a threat-based mindset, recalling the Supreme Leader’s statement that “the era of hit-and-run attacks is over.” Zarif explained, “This doesn’t mean threats no longer exist, but it means we no longer need to be entirely consumed by them. We are a proud nation, and the days of being a regional enforcer for others are over.”
Iran’s Own Narrative: Strength Through Unity
Zarif argued that Iran must construct its own narrative—one of confidence and national unity. “We must stop debating whether we could have achieved our current position at a lower cost. Now, our focus must be on a unified strategy for national security so that no one dares to threaten Iran,” he stated.
He stressed that Iran’s national security must be reinforced through a combination of economic strength, technological advancement, and diplomacy. “Our national strategy should be opportunity-driven, not threat-focused. This doesn’t mean ignoring threats, but they should not be our sole concern.”
Zarif’s Contributions and Missteps
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A Shift in Perspective: Seeing Opportunities Instead of Threats
Zarif called for a change in mindset, urging Iranians to view people—both inside and outside the country—as assets rather than liabilities. “We must see the Iranian diaspora as an opportunity, not a threat. We should regard cyberspace as a tool for progress, not danger. In artificial intelligence, we have some of the best minds working in the U.S., and many of the world’s AI leaders are Iranian. Our youth, technology, and neighboring countries must be seen as opportunities for economic cooperation,” he asserted.
He concluded by referencing the Supreme Leader’s recent remarks to Iranian officials, saying, “We must keep our eyes open, but opportunities, not threats, should guide our policies. This is the antidote to Israel’s narrative against Iran.”
Zarif reaffirmed his revolutionary stance, declaring, “I am still a revolutionary, and I have no regrets about our revolution because it taught us self-reliance. We must negotiate with everyone except the Zionist regime, but we must understand the U.S. well. Some believe America will save us, but this is the same America that fully supported Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war.”
