A Proposal on the Table: A Sincerity Test for Advocates of Peace
By announcing its readiness to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, Iran has once again placed regional diplomacy and indigenous security against dependence on foreign security umbrellas, an approach that could help halt the war, strengthen Islamic convergence and enhance West Asia's role in the new world order.
By declaring readiness to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, Iran has once again pitted regional diplomacy and local security against dependence on the security umbrella of foreigners. An approach that can help stop war, strengthen Islamic convergence and promote the role of West Asia in the new world order.
Ambassador Arjan-Political Group: A miscalculation in recognizing the power of the Yemenis and clinging to the security umbrella promised by foreigners has become the basis for the continuation of Saudi Arabia's attacks on Yemen and the response of Ansarullah and the Yemeni army within the framework of the right of legitimate defense. Continuation of the war between two Islamic countries has no achievement, except to secure the interests of the Zionist regime and the enemies of the Islamic world. Therefore, Iran is following the dialogue initiative between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, as in previous years, relying on the local security discourse and regional diplomacy.
Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in a conversation with Faisal Bin Farhan, his Saudi counterpart, while expressing his concern about the escalation of tensions, emphasized that insisting on a military approach and neglecting a political solution will complicate the existing situation. He announced Iran's readiness for any assistance in order to start a dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Yemen and reach a political solution. This position, in addition to reflecting Tehran's realistic view, is an opportunity for the countries of the region to rely on their own capacities to replace domestic security with dependence on foreigners and play a role in the new world order.
Tehran has always evaluated comprehensive relations with Riyadh in line with the interests of the two countries, the region and the Islamic world. After seven years, Iran's acceptance of China's initiative to resolve misunderstandings led to Beijing's understanding; The path that showed the importance of dialogue and political will in reducing tensions.
Martyr Admiral Ali Shamkhani, the then Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, stated about this understanding: "Resolving misunderstandings and looking towards the future in Tehran-Riyadh relations will definitely lead to the development of regional stability and security and increased cooperation between the countries of the Persian Gulf and the Islamic world to manage the existing challenges."
The numerous meetings of the officials of the two countries in recent years can be evaluated in the same framework. Even during the Ramadan war, despite the widespread tensions, Iran did not target Saudi Arabia and targeted American bases, interests and targets. The announcement of Tehran's current readiness to facilitate the dialogue between Riyadh and Sana'a is also a continuation of this interaction-oriented approach and a sign of efforts to strengthen the convergence between the neighbors.
The media and opponents of regional integration, by repeating the claim of "proxy" and directional word formations, try to reproduce the scenario of brother against brother and confrontation between Arabs and non-Arabs; However, these labels do not change the reality of the will of the nations. The fundamental difference between Iran's view and the domination system is in the emphasis on independence, good neighborliness and the progress of all against the exploitation of countries and streams to secure the interests of foreigners. Iran's fight against ISIS and technical and scientific cooperation are also manifestations of this approach.
The formation of popular resistance movements in Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine and Yemen, in the context of confronting occupation, aggression and structures dependent on foreigners, shows the role of local wills. Delegating these currents to Iran's proxy forces is ignoring the nation's desire for independence and repeating the same design that seeks to break their will by humiliating the nation.
Since the beginning of the military attacks of Saudi Arabia and its regional allies on Yemen, which is carried out with the support of the West, Iran has considered the military solution as a failed path and the political solution as the only sustainable option. Tehran's four-point initiative, including the immediate cessation of aggression, the sending of essential and humanitarian aid, a national dialogue with the participation of all Yemeni groups, and the formation of a national reconciliation government, can still be a realistic basis for starting negotiations.
Recent developments have also revealed the cost of relying on the American security umbrella: the Ramadan war and what is seen as America's betrayal of Arab countries in the context of giving priority to the Zionist regime; the vulnerability of American bases and forces; The continuation of the humanitarian disaster in Gaza and the failure of the alleged peace mechanisms; Washington's gas agreement with Russia and its consequences for Europe and Ukraine; and the Strait of Hormuz crisis following the tension-causing behavior of America. These developments highlight the need to review security dependence and strengthen regional cooperation.
Iran's diplomatic record is not limited to the initiative of Yemen. Welcoming the mediation of Qatar, Pakistan and Oman to end the war, the Hormuz peace proposal and the meeting of the neighbors of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, hosting Afghan groups to bring the views closer, negotiating to improve the security of Iraq and emphasizing the end of the war on all fronts within the framework of the Islamabad Memorandum are part of these efforts.
Today, Iran, in addition to relying on the armed forces and smart management of the Strait of Hormuz, has also used the capacity of diplomacy to reduce tensions. Araghchi's proposal about Yemen and Saudi Arabia is a clear example of this approach. The use of such capacities by the countries of the region can lead to the end of the war, strengthening of local security and increasing the role of West Asia in the new world order.
The future of Iran cannot be predicted based on a military event or a political agreement. The future of the country is the result of a set of factors; The state of the economy, the level of social cohesion, the quality of governance, foreign relations, and most importantly, the level of people's trust in the decision-making structure. Today, Iran is facing both serious threats and opportunities, and how to use these opportunities depends on the country's ability to simultaneously strengthen its internal and external capacities.
The emergency meeting in Riyadh to review the war in Yemen is being held while relying on a military solution can bring the Makkah coalition into the game of the US and the Zionist regime; A path that, instead of security, leads to the aggravation of the crisis and the closing of Bab al-Mandab.
Saudi Arabia's foreign minister supported efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region, particularly those by Qatar and Pakistan, saying these measures could help restore stability.