Iran Builds Its Own Security — Not Paralyzed, Not the Region’s Problem
WANA (Dec 09) – Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif delivered one of his most forceful speeches in recent years at the Doha Forum 2025, sharply rejecting the notion that Iran is “paralyzed” by regional instability and internal pressures.
Instead, Zarif portrayed the Islamic Republic as a nation with deep historical resilience and a strategic posture that has returned firmly to its doctrine of resistance.
His remarks — touching on Iran’s regional strategy, relations with Europe, and the legacy of the nuclear deal — have already sparked notable reactions inside Iran, including from conservative circles that once criticized his diplomacy.
Iran Is Not Paralyzed: “We Have Survived Storms for Millennia”
Responding to the moderator’s question, suggesting that Iran is weakened by shifting regional setbacks and dynamics and losses among its partners, such as Syria, Zarif rejected the framing outright.
“Let’s be realistic. We’ve had ups and downs… There was a time when everybody expected Iran to go down the drain in seven days during the Iraq invasion. That is why the Security Council waited for seven days before it issued its first resolution on Iran after it failed, he said.”
The Executive Vice-President of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft in Washington. Dr. Trita Parsi at Doha Forum 2025. Social media/ WANA News Agency
He highlighted Iran’s long civilizational endurance: “Iran has gone through storms for almost seven millennia… We’ve been invaded, occupied, but we never went down the drain. We are still standing and will continue to stand.”
Zarif cited the recent 12-day confrontations, arguing that Iran’s defensive capabilities remain intact: “Two nuclear powers attacked Iran… and it was expected Iran would be gone. After losing 17 of our highest commanders in the first minutes, they expected we could not withstand—but we proved we could inflict serious harm on Israel.”
“Iran is the only country in the region where, when the United States wanted to attack, it evacuated all its bases. That is not a sign of weakness.”
He emphasized that Iran’s strength is homegrown, not dependent on foreign powers: “We don’t import our security, we don’t purchase our security, we don’t import our nuclear power, so we would put it in a platter like some of our friends in North Africa did and give it to the Americans. It’s ours. So it’s best for everybody to recognize and come to terms with this and start working with Iran.”
Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif at the Doha Forum 2025. Social media/ WANA News Agency
“No Shift” in Strategy: Return to the Resistance Doctrine
Asked whether Iran’s regional strategy has changed given new geopolitical realities, Zarif used a single word: “No.”
He argued that the real deviation happened during the brief implementation of the JCPOA: “The problem with the JCPOA was that it was a shift in Iran’s strategy — from resistance to compromise — and that is why it faced so much opposition inside Iran.”
Zarif said Iran has now returned to its traditional strategic doctrine: “We are back to the resistance strategy which we are used to. We’re very good at it… We had only two years of JCPOA, and that was an aberration — not the resistance.”
He added that regional realities today have clarified the true source of instability: “For years, Iran was accused of being the obstacle in Palestine or Syria. Now we see the obstacle for what it is: Israeli aggression… a regime that considers itself above international law.” “Thanks God we’re no longer the problem. Look at the real problem.”
Pezeshkian: Israel, Not Iran, the True Source of Regional Instability
WANA (Sep 16) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized that the recent summit in Qatar could serve as the beginning of efforts to strengthen cohesion and ensure security in the region. He noted that such a process would also enhance economic, social, cultural, political, and scientific ties among Islamic countries while helping to resolve differences […]
Criticism of Europe: “Europe Shot Itself in the Foot”
Zarif said Iran has lost trust in Europe due to its compliance with U.S. pressure: “Everybody in Iran has lost faith with Europe because Europe proved to be shooting itself in the foot to please the United States.”
He sharply criticized European governments for invoking the dispute mechanism of the JCPOA: “Search the entire JCPOA and Resolution 2231 — you won’t find the word ‘snapback.’ Europe had no right to invoke Article 36. But it admitted it followed American instructions.”
According to Zarif, Europe undermined its own leverage: “Europe could have held the most important role… Instead, by invoking 36, Europe disempowered itself from playing any role in the nuclear issue. What did Europe gain? Absolutely nothing.”
He pointed to the Airbus deal as another example: “We signed a deal with Airbus for 118 planes, and the Americans only allowed 18. Even then, our European friends did not realize the U.S. did not have their best interests in mind.”
“Even then, our European friends did not realize the U.S. did not have their best interests in mind.”
Araghchi: Three European Countries Sought to Blackmail Iran
WANA (Sep 27) – Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Friday night that three European countries, along with the United States, attempted to pressure and “blackmail” Iran through fear and escalation in recent weeks. Speaking in a televised interview from New York, Araghchi outlined Iran’s diplomatic efforts over the past week to […]
Zarif added: “It is good for our European friends to wake up and see the United States will only support its own interests—and Israel’s interests first.”
Zarif also emphasized Iran’s regional interdependence: “We didn’t choose our neighbors. We are stuck together and need to live together.”
He warned against revisiting past territorial disputes, citing a 1971 UN Security Council warning and noting Iran’s historical grievances, including the separation of its 19th province and $100 billion paid by GCC states to Saddam Hussein during the Iran–Iraq War. He contrasted this with Iran’s support for Kuwait in 1990 and rejected any territorial ambitions.
At this point, Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi interjected: “That’s not correct, my friend… We stopped the mediation because of the Iranian cell.”
Zarif shot back: “That was your excuse — not the reason.” Zarif also replied that Iran already has three constructive proposals:
- HOPE (Hormuz Peace Endeavor)
- MINARA (Middle East Network for Atomic Research and Advancement)
- MADA (Muslim West Asia Dialogue Association)
He further challenged GCC states: “I want to hear a proposal other than: ‘Give up your territory.’”
Baghaei: The Three Islands Will Always Belong to Iran
WANA (Sep 28) – Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, strongly rejected the claims made in the joint statement of the foreign ministers’ meeting between the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) and the United Kingdom concerning Iran’s three islands in the Persian Gulf. Baghaei reaffirmed […]
“Why Is Iran Always Cast as the Threat?”
A young Algerian woman said that youth in North Africa do not see Iran as a threat, but rather Israel, and asked:
- Whether Iran’s self-defense strategies caused external suspicion
- Why Iran is consistently blamed for regional instability
- Whether accusations arise from violations of international law
Zarif’s Historical Narrative on Iran’s “Securitization”
Zarif responded When Israel began Madrid and Oslo talks in the early 1990s, PM Yitzhak Rabin needed a new enemy to justify concessions to Arabs. Israel “securitized” Iran domestically in the early 1990s.
He added that Netanyahu expanded this internationally, including his 1997 U.S. Congress speech predicting Iran would have a nuclear bomb by 2000.
He blamed U.S. policy — including the “coalition of moderates” — for amplifying the narrative.
Zarif defended Iran’s ties with regional movements: “Not a single shot has been fired in 45 years by any of our so-called proxies to advance our interests. They fight for their own interests — and we have been paying.”
Iran’s FM Accuses U.S.-Israel of Fueling Regional Instability Amid Syria Unrest
WANA (Nov 28) – Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has attributed the recent resurgence of extremist terrorist groups in Syria to what he described as a U.S.-Israeli design aimed at destabilizing the region following the failures of the Israeli regime against the resistance forces. In a phone conversation on Thursday with his Lebanese […]
He added, “We supported Palestine more than any Arab country. I am under two American designations because Netanyahu wanted it. Not because I killed anyone.”
He accused Israel, not Iran, of fueling regional instability: “Is the Gaza genocide our fault? Israel’s actions are the root of instability. Our Arab friends must wake up and smell the coffee.”
Zarif also rejected GCC accusations over territorial disputes such as the Arash gas field: “Every time we went to talk about Arash, it was Kuwait that refused — not Iran.”
In its recent statement on Dec 03, 2025, the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council repeated its claim regarding the three Iranian islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa that belong to the United Arab Emirates and reiterated its support for the UAE’s sovereignty over the islands, as well as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait’s claim of ownership over the Iranian Arash gas field.
Reactions Inside Iran: Broad Support Across Political Lines
Zarif’s remarks quickly circulated across Iranian media — including outlets traditionally critical of him. Several conservative and principlist websites reposted large portions of the speech, praising his firm tone against the West and his emphasis on national resilience.
Some media described his comments as “a realistic reading of Iran’s power,” and some conservative analysts wrote that Zarif “spoke more forcefully than many officials currently in office.”
Reformist-leaning outlets highlighted that even former critics acknowledged the strategic clarity of his remarks.
In social media discussions, users across the political spectrum widely shared Zarif’s statements on Iran’s historical endurance and the failure of European diplomacy.
This unusually positive cross-faction reaction underscores a rare moment of convergence among Iranian political groups — driven largely by a shared sense of frustration with Western policies and admiration for Zarif’s sharp articulation of national resilience.
Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif at the Doha Forum 2025. Social media/ WANA News Agency
This session of the Doha Forum 2025 was held to discuss defense policy, security, mediation in conflicts, and peacebuilding, under the title “Iran and the Changing Regional Security Environment.”
The session featured HE GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, HE former Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif, and Director of the Institute of International Affairs in Italy Nathalie Tocci. The session was moderated by the Executive Vice-President of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft in Washington. Dr. Trita Parsi.
Background: What Is the Doha Forum?
The Doha Forum is one of the Middle East’s most prominent annual platforms for global dialogue, hosted by Qatar. The event brings together heads of state, foreign ministers, international organizations, academics, and policy experts.
The 2025 edition focused on geopolitical realignments, global governance, and the shifting security landscape in the Middle East — making Zarif’s remarks particularly timely given ongoing regional tensions and evolving alliances.
