The Islamic Republic has become a regional power by making smart decisions, according to Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who described the government's self-confidence and anti-hegemonic approach as its major source of power.
Speaking at a conference on nuclear talks hosted by Allameh Tabataba'i University in Tehran, Zarif said, "Political scientists and international relations experts should help the government in finding the right approach to global developments and, above all, building a future based on peaceful coexistence with the world," IRNA reported.
On the Islamic Republic's "positive" involvement in regional affairs, Zarif said the country has now turned into a major regional power after making wise decisions with regard to political developments in neighboring countries.
"Right now, no major political decision in the region can be made without Iran taking part in making that decision," Zarif asserted, noting that Iran's regional and global rivals have started an anti-Iran campaign as "they see Iran has emerged as a key regional player."
The recent nuclear agreement between Iran and major powers in July was the main topic of Monday's conference. The top diplomat gave a brief account of the intensive talks in Vienna culminating in the landmark accord, pointing to the nuclear issue as a main leverage for Iran "that in essence is a scientific subject."
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Zarif added that the talks, although difficult, maintained Tehran's strength and kept foes and rivals from restricting Iran's power for solving regional issues through dialogue and cooperation.
"They now seem to be less worried about the scientific aspect of our nuclear program, but [Iran's rivals] have started a new Iranophobia campaign in the region," Zarif said, adding that knowing details of the "game" being played to turn the region against the Islamic Republic would help the government to proceed with its calculated diplomacy to thwart the threats against the country.
"We can come out of this victorious as we did in the nuclear talks," the foreign minister stated.
On the role academia can and should play in devising an up-to-date and efficient foreign policy, Zarif said political scientists and international relations scholars are not only responsible for educating future experts in the field, but are also responsible for helping the government "take the right approach when it comes to having better relations with the world."
"We need to formulate our own realistic approach based on scientific predictions of what is going to happen in the future. We cannot follow the rules and theories set by the hegemonic powers because those have failed to make the world a better place."
