WANA (May 01) – Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Iran has demonstrated that the era of “hit-and-run” military strikes against the country is over, highlighting the Islamic Republic’s direct responses to U.S. and Israeli attacks in recent years.

 

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has not ceded an inch of its territory during wartime,” Zarif said in a recent public appearance. “Even the Shah gave up Bahrain. But we reached a point where the U.S. attacked us and assassinated General Qassem Soleimani in a terrorist operation — and we responded by launching missile strikes at a U.S. base. Israel attacked us, and we responded in kind.”

 

Zarif emphasized Iran’s restraint and strategic strength, adding, “To those who claim Iran has weakened, I say: if our missiles had targeted population centers, the world would have understood the full extent of our power. We have achieved indigenous capabilities to protect national security. The era of acting with impunity is over.”

 

Diplomacy from a Position of Confidence

The former top diplomat also addressed Iran’s approach to diplomacy, arguing that negotiation should be seen as a sign of strength, not weakness.

 

“Negotiation is not a threat. If we view talks as threatening, we will avoid them. But when we see them as an opportunity, it means we trust in our own capabilities,” Zarif stated.

 

“If we gain that self-confidence, we might even reach a point where someone like [U.S. President] Trump says the Iranians outsmarted Kerry, or someone like Steve Witkoff claims the JCPOA favored America,” he stated.

 

Future-Focused Vision for the Region

Zarif warned against being trapped by the past, calling for a bold reimagining of Iran’s regional role. “We can either build the future based on the past and remain imprisoned by it, or create a glorious future inspired by today’s achievements,” he said.

 

Referring to China’s strategic pivot to the future, Zarif stressed that Iran and the region must also embrace transformation. “No one can threaten Iran without consequence. We must give the region a chance.”

 

Global Shifts and Regional Realities

Highlighting changing global dynamics, Zarif argued that the age of permanent alliances has ended. “The world has transformed. Even the Saudis woke up after the Aramco incident. We must recognize that neither China nor Russia will sacrifice their interests for us. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have strategic relations, but we must understand them correctly.”

 

New Regional Dynamics Emerging

Zarif argued that regional countries have come to understand that security cannot be bought — a realization sharpened by the Aramco attacks. “They now see Israel as the greatest threat to Arab nations,” he said.

 

He accused Israel of creating a false security narrative to isolate Iran. “Since the 1990s, after the Iran-Iraq war, Israel began a campaign to portray Iran as a threat, first to its own people, then to the Arab world.”

 

According to Zarif, the U.S. no longer seeks a sustained presence in the region. “America wants to solve regional issues so it can shift focus to confronting China. That’s why, during the JCPOA talks, they were willing to offer concessions — to close this chapter and reduce their regional involvement.”

 

Time for a Balanced and Inclusive Regional Order

He called for a new regional framework that includes key players like Egypt, Turkey, Yemen, Jordan, and Syria. “We need a balanced arrangement. In my view, initiatives based on cooperation and amity — more than the Hormuz Peace Endeavor — are essential.”

 

Looking Ahead

In closing, Zarif said, “Iran, the region, and the world must work together to build a different future. The conditions have changed, and so must our vision.”