Hiroshima: Mohammad-Javad Zarif, Iran’s former vice-president for strategic affairs and foreign minister, has emphasized the necessity for the United States to abandon the notion of Iran’s unconditional surrender and instead engage in genuine negotiations. Zarif articulated these views during a keynote speech at the 63rd Pugwash Conference in Hiroshima, which focused on the theme ’80 Years After the Atomic Bombing – Time for Peace, Dialogue and Nuclear Disarmament.’
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Zarif referenced the heightened tensions following the US-backed Israeli conflict against Iran in June, noting that both Washington and Tel Aviv failed to achieve their objectives and instead learned significant lessons from these events. He urged the United States to have the courage to move forward, highlighting that the US’s perceptions of Iran’s nuclear ambitions are misguided, as they cannot eliminate the scientific expertise within Iran.
Zarif further discussed the resilience of Iran against Israeli and US assaults on nuclear facilities and scientists, asserting that the true strength lies in the scientific knowledge and technical expertise within the country. He praised the unity displayed by Iranians in defending their nation, which demonstrated their capability to challenge two nuclear powers effectively.
Zarif stressed that the United States should aim to establish agreements ensuring that Iran’s advanced nuclear capabilities remain transparent and exclusively peaceful. He also reiterated Iran’s longstanding opposition to weapons of mass destruction, based on the historical context of being a victim of such weapons during the 1980s under Saddam Hussein’s regime.
Despite decades of sanctions, cyberattacks, and assassinations targeting Iranian scientists, Zarif maintained that Iran’s nuclear program has remained peaceful, driven by self-respect rather than military ambitions. He criticized the irony of nations that accuse Iran of seeking nuclear weapons while having previously supported Saddam Hussein and ignoring Israel’s nuclear arsenal.
In advocating for diplomacy, Zarif called for a shift in perspective from viewing Iran as a threat to recognizing it as an equal partner in international relations, built on mutual respect and shared prosperity.