Iran Ready to Fortify Constructive, Sustainable Ties With All Countries

The new Iranian government is a pragmatic and result-oriented one and is, therefore, ready to fortify constructive, sustainable and viable relations with all countries on the basis of mutual respect and shared interests, Iran’s top diplomat said. 
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian described the government of President Ebrahim Raisi as a transformational administration whose foreign policy is founded on the principles of establishing a “balanced and dynamic diplomacy and smart interaction” with others.
This entails restoration of balance in Iran’s foreign relations, in terms of strengthening relations with various geographical areas as well as pursuing various aspects of foreign relations such as political, economic and cultural engagement, he added, according to the website of the Foreign Ministry. 
“Such a foreign policy has been founded on pillars such as prioritizing neighbors and Asia, smart interaction and expansion of relations with the countries of the world, particularly the Muslim world, on the basis of common interests, mutual respect and non-interference in each other’s domestic affairs as well as the promotion and support of multilateralism, and rejection of unilateralism,” he said.
The Islamic Republic also welcomes any idea and plan that aims to contribute to stability and peace in the region, according to Amir-Abdollahian, so far as it is without foreign intervention. 
“On such a basis, our government has initiated constructive dialogue with its southern neighbors and remarkable progress has been made.” 
In Iran’s view, weapons arsenals in the region and the presence and intervention of foreign powers would not produce security, but would only make the security arrangement of the region more complicated and exacerbated, the top diplomat said. 
Instead, collective contribution and cooperation can ensure the security of regional countries, he added. 

Fundamental Values

Pointing to the long conflict and human tragedy in Yemen, the foreign minister said Iran strongly supports efforts to restore peace to this country and spares no effort toward this end. 
“The settlement of the crisis in Yemen is contingent upon considering the roots of this conflict, the United Nations central role playing, respecting the will of the people of Yemen to determine their own destiny, ending the economic and human blockade, declaring ceasefire and initiating Yemeni-led Yemeni-owned talks.” 
The other regional crisis in Afghanistan is the product of military occupation and use of force against that country, as well as the wrong policies of the United States toward this country during the past twenty years, according to Amir-Abdollahian. 
“In our belief, the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan with the presence of all political and ethnic groups is absolutely necessary for achieving peace and stability,” he said.   
Iran has consistently stood by the people of Afghanistan, from delivering humanitarian assistance to supplying fuel, and remains worried about continued violence and terrorist activities in this country, he added. 
Highlighting the current wave of Afghan refugees to Iran and other neighbors, he called for active participation of international community and humanitarian institutions as an urgent and necessary step to address this issue. 
Support for Palestinian cause and peace in the Middle East region is also central to the Iranian government’s foreign policy, Amir-Abdollahian said. 
He once again put forward the Islamic Republic’s proposal of a “comprehensive political and democratic solution” for this problem, which is holding a referendum among the indigenous habitants of Palestine, including the Christians, Jews and Muslims, and support of all governments for the outcome of such a referendum. 
“The people of Palestine are the only people who should decide about their own destiny and future.” 
The foreign minister said the Islamic Republic is also concerned about the escalation of tensions between Russia and Ukraine and invites them to settle their difference through dialogue and peaceful means.
Tehran also emphasizes the necessity of settling other regional issues such as those in the Korean peninsula and South China Sea, without interference by trans-regional powers, he said. 
“Politicizing universal concepts such as democracy and human rights in the long term would impair and undermine such fundamental values.” 

Double Games 

Further during his address, the foreign minister referred to Iran’s ongoing talks in the Austrian capital Vienna to restore the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
The US quit the deal four years ago and reimposed tough sanctions that prompted Tehran to react by rolling back on its commitments. 
The Vienna negotiations started in April and are reportedly nearing a conclusion in their eighth round. 
Amir-Abdollahian reiterated that Iran is ready to achieve a good deal at the earliest possible time, if the other side makes the needed political decision.
He said Iran’s demands for the removal of all sanctions inconsistent with the JCPOA, verification of sanctions removal and presentation of absolutely necessary objective guarantees for the fulfillment of commitments are “absolutely reasonable and fair”.
This is while Iranian negotiators are currently confronting “the double games of the Western party on the text and time,” he said.