H.E. Dr. Mehdi Safari the Deputy Foreign Minister of Islamic Republic of Iran ‎with responsibility for Europe, had a speech at the Institute of International ‎and European Affairs and outlined Iran's policy towards  some challenges in ‎the Middle East, focusing in particular on Iraq, the Lebanon and the ‎Palestinian occupied territories.

In the Name of God, the Almighty ‎

Unstable Middle-East; Challenges;‎
‎ Views of ‎The Islamic Republic of Iran

At the outset, I would like to express my appreciation to the ‎Institute for International and European Affairs for providing ‎me with the opportunity to speak to you, the distinguished ‎participants. I am very pleased to have this opportunity to be ‎among you, the learned members of this Institute and the ‎diplomatic corps, to exchange our views on different issues. In ‎my speech I wish to go through a number of important issues in ‎the Middle East which include crises and challenges facing this ‎region and I am going to outline the positions of the Islamic ‎Republic of Iran in this regard.    ‎
A)‎ Iraq
As you are well-informed Iraq is passing through a period ‎of political and security developments which started with the ‎US invasion of Iraq and overthrew of Ba’athist regime in 2003. ‎Despite all expectations, after more than 5 years of Iraq’s ‎occupation, the stabilization of political, security and economic ‎structures of this country have not yet come to reality.  In spite ‎of all the efforts made by the Maleki Government towards ‎improvement of security situation and arrangement of political ‎structures inside Iraq, we can not yet speak of full establishment ‎of stability in this country. +‎
According to many political analysts, failure in ‎establishment of security in the Middle East, would put ‎international security in jeopardy.  Iraq has become the main ‎source of security problems in recent years to the extent that ‎without Iraq’s stability, progress and security, sustainable ‎development in the Middle East would be out of reach.  ‎

Ladies and Gentlemen,‎
With respect to the current developments in Iraq, ‎establishment of security requires collaboration, cooperation ‎and the will of different ethnic and religious entities, including ‎Kurds, Shiites and Sunnis.  Disregarding and disrespecting the ‎views and interests of these political entities can lead to major ‎problems and challenges in the long, medium and short terms in ‎that country.‎
At regional level, unlike certain countries which are only ‎after their own interests irrespective of the interests of the ‎people of Iraq, Iran’s approach has been the implementation of ‎a policy which correlates with the interests of Iraqi people.  ‎During previous decades Iraq has always been a threat to the ‎security of Iran; the threat which, in the eyes of Iranians, posed ‎by the Ba’athist regime and not the oppressed Iraqi people. ‎After the overthrew of Saddam’s Regime and formation of the ‎Iraqi political system, based on participation of all Iraqi groups ‎in the power structure, new conditions emerged which put an ‎end to the Iraqi threat against Iran and even turned Iraq into a ‎major economic and political partner of Iran. This historical ‎opportunity paved the way for a fundamental change in the ‎relationship between the two countries so much so that, unlike ‎most regional countries, Iran has been supporting fully the new ‎Iraqi government in the reconstruction process and mobilized ‎its capacities to improve the stability and security of Iraq.   The ‎several visits of Iraqi President and Prime Minister to Tehran ‎and also the historical visit of President Ahmadi –Nejad to Iraq ‎all serve as examples of  Iran’s foreign policy vis-à-vis Iraq. ‎
The deep bonds that exists between the citizens of the two ‎countries, have been instrumental in promoting stability in Iraq. ‎Making every effort in settling differences among Iraqis is a ‎major element of Iran’s strategy to assist the Iraqi authorities in ‎promoting security and stability in that country.  ‎

Ladies and Gentlemen, ‎
The security gap following the overthrew of Saddam as ‎well as the increase in the possibility of failure of political ‎process could trigger far more security threats against Iran.  As ‎a result, the Islamic Republic of Iran, despite the US hostility, ‎accepted Iraqi Government’s call for holding talks with U.S.  in ‎favor of establishment of stability in this country. Therefore ‎Iran considers its talks with the US as an opportunity to ‎improve the security conditions in Iraq.‎
It is to be mentioned that at the beginning of occupation of ‎Iraq by the US troops in 2003, the US adopted a one sided ‎approach vis-à-vis Iraq and prevented the participation of other ‎parties in the Iraqi development process irrespective of the ‎existing concerns of them.  As a matter of fact, the prime US ‎strategy with respect to Iraq was the establishment of a pilot ‎government with the purpose of exercising wider changes in the ‎whole Middle East in future.  However, with gradual increase ‎of insecurity and instability in Iraq, the US administration ‎learned that stability and security in Iraq could not be ‎established without the involvement of other regional players. ‎
Generally speaking, given the Iraq’s strategic situation ‎and significance of its developments to the world community, ‎the Islamic Republic of Iran’s approach towards new Iraq is ‎based on full support for the elected government.  This ‎approach calls for further participation in the reconstruction of ‎Iraq and promotion of security, cultural, political and economic ‎cooperation between the two countries.  ‎

Lebanon
Iran, as a major player in the sensitive region of the ‎Middle East with its historical, cultural, social and geographical ‎commonalities with Lebanon, has always had close contact and ‎relationship with the learned Lebanese people of different sects, ‎tribes and political orientations.  As a result, Iran has always ‎been following closely the developments there.   on different ‎occasions and been playing effective role in the recent ‎agreements reached in Doha. ‎
We strongly support the Lebanon’s political sovereignty, ‎territorial integrity as well as independence in its decision ‎making process.  We have adopted the policy of strengthening ‎friendship with all Lebanese groups, sects and tribes on equal ‎basis.  Following the destructions inflicted by the Zionist ‎regime during its repeated aggression against Lebanon, Iran has ‎actively participated in the reconstruction process of that ‎country.   On the political front we have been playing an active  ‎role in the process of reconciliation and help bringing stability ‎to that country.  In this context, Iran had an instrumental role in ‎the successful conclusion of Doha negotiations.  ‎

Ladies and Gentlemen,‎
Our strategy in dealing with issues related to Lebanon, is ‎based on supporting the formation of national consensus, and  ‎cooperation with all domestic and foreign players including ‎certain Arab and European parties namely the Arab League, ‎Saudi Arabia, France, Switzerland and Italy.‎
High on our agenda is to assist the Lebanese to rebuild  ‎trust amongst themselves, so that they would be able to settle ‎their own problems without any outside interference.  In our ‎view this would lead to stability, security and prosperity of ‎Lebanon which will consequently have a positive impact on the ‎region.‎
We are of the view that the interference of foreign powers ‎in the Lebanese internal affairs to pursue their illegitimate ‎goals, coupled with the Zionist regime’s efforts to stir up ‎division in Lebanon while continuing its occupation policy and ‎daily aggressions against Lebanon’s sovereignty, are the main ‎obstacles to achieving peace and security in Lebanon and the ‎whole region.  ‎
The responsibility of UNIFIL forces in Lebanese southern ‎borders, is to supervise the borders and prevent daily Zionist ‎aggressions against Lebanese airspace and territorial integrity.   ‎Therfore, taking the necessary measures against Zionist acts of ‎violation of Lebanese airspace is expected.‎
On the same basis the EU and other members of the ‎international community should fulfill their responsibility ‎towards current developments in Lebanon and the region.  Iran ‎with its record of constructive contribution to reconciliation and ‎reconstruction in Lebanon is ready to cooperate with EU and ‎other international players to ensure that the political crisis in ‎Lebanon is resolved.   Iran is ready to use its potential capacity ‎to contribute to the resolution of other tensions and conflicts in ‎the region and international arena.  We believe that close ‎cooperation between EU and Iran could play a pivotal role in ‎doing so.   ‎

C) Palestine
During the past years, particularly recent times, the ‎Palestinians faced dramatic changes and developments. The ‎Palestinians through their legitimate struggle and resistance ‎against the Zionist regime, despite sustaining heavy losses and ‎appalling situation, have achieved a modest success in reaching ‎their aspiration. ‎
The attacks of the Zionist regime on Gaza Strip during ‎last years, which resulted in killing and massacre of innocent ‎children and women, vast destruction of Palestinian ‎infrastructures and organized arrest of numerous people, have ‎created deplorable situations in the said geographical region. ‎The Zionists, who have committed these crimes with the overt ‎support of the great powers, are still threatening Palestinians ‎and inhabitants of Gaza Strip.‎

Ladies and Gentlemen,‎
We witness obvious contradictions in Western foreign ‎policies vis-à-vis these events. For example, during the process ‎of the last Palestinian election, the people elected Hamas, while ‎the West still recognize Hamas as a terrorist group and is ‎denying its legitimacy.  This position shows the double standard ‎that the West applies in similar international issues. ‎
The strategy of the Zionist regime to change geographical ‎and population landscapes in the holy land (Al-Qods) is ‎pursued through expanding settlements in this area. The threats ‎against Islamic and Christian holy places, particularly Al-Qods ‎and Al-Aqsa Mosques have seriously endangered the historical ‎and sacred identity of this land. The protection of the religious ‎and historical identity of this region should be fulfilled with the ‎spiritual and full-fledged support and help of the whole global ‎community. ‎
The Islamic Republic of Iran has always welcomed and ‎supported initiatives towards achieving reconciliation, national ‎unity and solidarity in Palestine.  While appreciating all the ‎international political efforts for resolution of the issue of ‎Palestine, Iran believes that these initiatives can only be viable ‎and productive if  serious attention is paid to the root causes and ‎the realization of the legitimate rights of the people of Palestine.   ‎Without addressing issues such as the right to self ‎determination, the right of return of refugees to their mother ‎land, ending the occupation, establishing a unified and an ‎independent state of Palestine with Al-Qods as its capital, no ‎viable resolution of the Palestinian issue could be seen in ‎horizon.  In Iran’s view holding a referendum among all the ‎original inhabitants of Palestine (including Muslims, Christians ‎and Jews) to determine their destiny is the only fair, just and ‎democratic means to bring the Palestine issue to a lasting ‎solution.  ‎

Ladies and Gentlemen, ‎
At the end we should stress that possession of nuclear ‎weapons by Zionist regime and using unconventional weapons ‎against civilian targets in Palestine and Lebanon, have seriously ‎endangered international and regional peace and security. ‎Unfortunately responsible organizations which deny the ‎legitimate right of Iran to have peaceful nuclear programme to ‎generate electricity under the supervision of IAEA, have kept ‎silence about the nuclear weapons of the Zionist regime.  This ‎is a clear example of double standards of the west.  ‎
Iran since 1970s, has been a pioneer in proposing a ‎Middle East nuclear free zone.  As we all know, the authorities ‎of Zionist regime have recently admitted to possessing an ‎arsenal of nuclear weapons.   We believe that this regime with ‎its dark history of numerous aggression to its neighbours, ‎possession of more than 200 nuclear warheads, consistent ‎violation of international laws, disregarding the basic human ‎rights of the Palestinians and being unaccountable to the ‎International community  is the main source of instability and ‎insecurity in the volatile region of Middle East.  ‎

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