Iran’s Zarif: Country Poses No Security Threat to the World
In a recent statement, Iran’s Vice President for Strategic Affairs, Mohammad Javad Zarif, asserted that Iran does not pose a security threat to any nation. He emphasized that if the Islamic Republic had intended to create nuclear weapons, it could have accomplished this objective a long time ago.
Zarif made these remarks during an interview with CNN’s GPS host Fareed Zakaria at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. He stated:
“Iran is not a security threat. Some are trying to present Iran as a security threat and use tools like Iranophobia and Islamophobia to justify their actions against innocent people, including in Gaza. However, these claims have no real basis.”
As the lead negotiator for the 2015 nuclear deal, Zarif highlighted that those who assert Iran is close to developing a nuclear bomb should have welcomed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). This agreement was established to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons for at least 15 years. He said:
“Iran has always been ready for dialogue and cooperation with regional countries. Our proposal for establishing a regional dialogue mechanism called ‘West Asia Dialogue Forum’ reflects our commitment to peace and stability in the region.”
Furthermore, he referenced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s repeated warnings about Iran potentially obtaining a nuclear weapon. Zarif pointed out:
“Nearly 30 years have passed since those claims were first made, yet Iran continues to be labeled as an imminent threat.”
Reflecting on the historical context of resistance in the region, Zarif noted that this concept existed both before and after the Islamic Revolution in Iran. He cited the 1982 invasion of Lebanon by Israel as a significant event that led to the formation of resistance groups such as:
Zarif asserted that resistance will persist as long as there is “occupation, apartheid, and genocide.” He reiterated that while these resistance groups operate independently, Iran supports the rights of peoples to self-determination. He concluded:
“These groups fight for their own causes.”
Through these statements, Zarif aims to clarify Iran’s stance on security and regional cooperation amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.
