Iran no security threat but pioneer of peace: Iranian vice president

Iran is no security threat to its surrounding region but a pioneer of peace efforts, as evidenced in its constant readiness for dialogue to promote stability in the region, says Iran’s vice president for strategic affairs.

"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,” Mohammad Javad Zarif said 

Speaking to CNN’s GPS host Fareed Zakaria at the 55th World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, the Iranian official stated that Iran’s commitment to regional peace is reflected in its offer for dialogue.

"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. Iran is not only not a threat to regional security but has always sought cooperation and interaction with its neighbors."

The former foreign minister referred to Israeli claims that Tehran seeks nuclear weapons as part of a campaign to portray Iran as a threat, stressing that if Tehran intended to develop nuclear weapons, it would have done so long ago.

"Had we wanted to build a nuclear weapon we would have done it a long time ago, but a program to build nuclear weapons is not going to be like our program. You build nuclear weapons in hidden laboratories that are not subject to international inspection," he said.

Zarif referenced the repeated statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since 1994 claiming that Iran would obtain nuclear weapons within six months.

"Now nearly 30 years have passed since those claims, and Iran is still referred to as an imminent threat. This is nothing but an attempt to securitize Iran."

Regarding Iran’s sanction-removal efforts, Zarif expressed hope that US President Donald Trump will choose "rationality" in his interactions with the country.

"I hope that this time around, a 'Trump 2' will be more serious, more focused, more realistic," Zarif said.

Pezeshkian: Promotion of peace and security in region, Muslim world Iran’s practical approach

Iran’s President Pezeshkian says Tehran’s practical approach is based on the promotion of peace and security among the regional and Muslim countries.

Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018, derailing years of diplomacy to resolve the dispute over Iran's civilian nuclear program. The deal stipulated confidence-building measures from Iran in return for the removal of sanctions.

Now with Trump returned to power in the United States, media speculation is rife that he might seek a deal similar to the JCPOA regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

‘Resistance won’t end until occupation ends’

On Iran’s support for anti-Israel resistance in the region, Zarif stated that resistance has existed well before Iran began its support.

He emphasized that resistance groups have never acted on behalf of Iran, stating that while Iran supports the rights of people to self-determination, Palestinian and Lebanese resistance has never acted at Iran's command; they fight for their own cause.

"Resistance existed before the Islamic Revolution in Iran and has continued since. In 1982, Ariel Sharon attempted to destroy Palestinian resistance by invading Lebanon and exiling Yasser Arafat to Tunisia. However, during this period, resistance groups like Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, and Hamas emerged. This shows that resistance is a response to occupation, oppression, and genocide, not a tool in the hands of Iran."

He added that the resistance will continue until people in the region are free from subjugation.

"Resistance will continue as long as there is occupation, apartheid, and genocide. Those who think they can eliminate resistance are mistaken. Netanyahu's goal was the destruction of Hamas, but Hamas remains steadfast, and Israel has been forced to accept a ceasefire. I hope this ceasefire will be permanent and that we will no longer witness the slaughter of thousands of innocent people,” he said.

Zarif underscored the need for a solution to the Palestinian issue to end the source of instability in West Asia.

As long as the Palestinian issue remains unresolved, resistance will continue. Iran only supports the rights of the Palestinian people; however, the root cause of resistance lies in occupation and human rights violations by Israel. If anyone seeks to resolve the Palestinian issue, they must pay attention to these matters rather than blaming Iran."

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