Tehran: David Yaghoubian, a professor of history at California State University in San Bernardino, said Iran’s soft power has grown after the 12-day war as a result of actions by its government and diplomats and contrasted Iranian conduct with that of Israel and U.S. supporters.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, in an exclusive interview Yaghoubian referred to the 12-day war and the reactions by three European states, saying, “Considering the high level of subterfuge employed by Israel and the United States in the lead up to the June 13 attack on Iran, which included a deceitful diplomatic and negotiating charade in the month prior, it was arguably mandatory for the Iranian Foreign Minister to seek clarification from the European E3 in light of the absurd statements of support for Israel that they immediately issued, and pursue diplomacy with neighbors and organizations such as the OIC in the interest of obtaining any potential advantage, if even short term.”
He said the conduct of Iran’s foreign ministry and diplomatic corps was an important factor for Iran’s global image and soft power, adding, “The professionalism, consistency, and rationality of the Iranian Foreign Minister and the Iranian diplomatic corps are critically important elements of Iran’s global image and soft power, which both advanced during the war. In sum, the diplomatic apparatus was effective considering the immediate circumstances.”
On the current U.S. administration’s foreign policy toward Iran, Yaghoubian said the administration avoids negotiation and diplomacy and has no respect for international law or the territorial integrity of other countries. He said this outlook makes Iran’s stated commitment to negotiation and respect for international law irrelevant to U.S. plans to seek regime change. He added that Iranian military strength and societal cohesion are the only factors that constrain U.S. presidents from advancing those plans.
Asked about Iran’s diplomacy during the war, Yaghoubian said, “While impossible to measure, I believe Iran’s global soft power has grown dramatically as a result of the war, in large part due to the consistent, rational actions and responses of the Iranian government and its skilled diplomats, and especially in light of the blatantly underhanded, dishonest, and criminal actions of the Zionist entity and its American patron. Manipulating and feigning commitment to negotiations as a deeply unethical strategy to provide cover for an attack clearly aimed to achieve ‘regime change’ further diminishes any remaining trust the international community might have in the United States. Moreover, the fact that Iranians from all sectors of society and orientations stood proudly and bravely together before the world in support of the government and Supreme Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei despite the ignorant expectations of the Zionists and Trump, further bolsters Iranian diplomacy as it illustrates the legitimacy of the govern
ment and vibrancy of the Iranian revolution once again.”
On the activation of the snapback mechanism by Britain, France and Germany, Yaghoubian said, “Maximum diplomacy buttressed by maximum defense will enable the Islamic Republic of Iran to survive the death throes of Zionism and American empire, irrespective of what European vassals of the United States ultimately decide to do regarding the snapback mechanism. If recent history is any guide, EU/E3 leadership will do exactly what ‘daddy’ tells them to do. Thus, the snapback should be anticipated and potentially ameliorated via intensive negotiations and diplomacy with Iran’s allies and countries of the global south.”
Yaghoubian outlined Iran’s global engagement, saying Iran has relations with neighbors with shared borders and trade interests such as Armenia and Iraq, and with countries with overlapping interests such as Venezuela. He said Russia and China are important allies in Eurasia and that relations with littoral states of the Persian Gulf have improved, reflecting Iran’s diplomatic efforts. He said U.S. sanctions and pressure limit Iranian engagement with some countries more than any lack of interest on Iran’s part. He recommended continued participation in institutions such as BRICS and the SCO to advance Iran’s global engagement.
On economic relations, Yaghoubian pointed to Iran’s relationship with China in oil, trade and diplomacy, saying ties continue to grow based on shared interests and shared grievances regarding U.S. policy, and that U.S. statements about a coming war with China and interference in Taiwan will push China and Iran closer. He concluded, “The process is intense, but maximum pressure can create diamonds.”
Details of points raised in the interview:
– Yaghoubian linked Iran’s rise in soft power to actions by Iran’s government and diplomatic corps during and after the 12-day war, and to international reactions to the conflict.
– He criticized pre-attack diplomatic moves by Israel and the United States, and said it was appropriate for Iran’s foreign minister to query Britain, France and Germany and to seek diplomacy with neighbors and organizations such as the OIC.
– He described U.S. policy as hostile to negotiation and international law, and said U.S. aims include regime change in Iran; he identified Iranian military strength and societal cohesion as constraints on U.S. action.
– He said the snapback mechanism by Britain, France and Germany should be expected and addressed through diplomacy with Iran’s allies and countries of the global south.
– He listed countries and groupings central to Iran’s global engagement: Armenia, Iraq, Venezuela, Russia, China, littoral states of the Persian Gulf, BRICS and the SCO.
– On economics, he highlighted growing Iran-China ties in oil and trade and suggested U.S.-China tensions will reinforce those ties.