Iran war changed regional security equations: Araghchi

Iran's Shift in Foreign Policy Approach After the War

The Iran war has brought about a significant change in the country's foreign policy approach. Iran's foreign minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, has stated that the war has convinced Arab states that security must be collective and regional, not dependent on foreign bases that have become sources of insecurity.

This shift in approach is a direct result of the war's outcome, which has demonstrated that external forces and bases not only fail to deliver security but actively undermine it. Araghchi emphasized that countries without foreign bases have remained safer and suffered less from the war than those hosting American bases that were supposed to protect them.

The war has also led to a more accurate understanding across the region: Persian Gulf security must be collective, include economic dimensions, and cannot be achieved amid economic and security imbalances between states. This new understanding has been reflected in Iran's post-war foreign policy, which will be 'completely different' from the pre-war period.

The Image of a Weak Iran Has Been Erased

Before the war, Iran appeared weak, and this perception invited attack. However, after 40 days of resistance, the image of a weak Iran has been completely erased. The war has turned the image of a weak Iran into that of a tough and resistant Iran that can stand on its feet in the hardest conditions.

Iran's Public Diplomacy During the War

Western media has acknowledged that Iran's public diplomacy during the war has been 'extremely strong and influential, more influential than the entire Western media.' This is a testament to the effectiveness of Iran's diplomatic efforts during the war.

President Masoud Pezeshkian's Role in the Negotiations

Araghchi praised President Masoud Pezeshkian's role in the negotiations, calling him the most important factor in reaching the Islamabad MoU. Pezeshkian opposed a mere ceasefire after the 12-day war and insisted on an end to the war that would not be repeated. The Americans had begun with a 15-point text that was effectively a 'surrender document,' while the final 14-point MoU showed how far the process had moved.

A New Era in Iran's Foreign Policy

From now on, Iranians will see the image of a powerful, strong, and dignified foreign policy that pursues national interests, the rights of the people, and the pride of Iran. This new era in Iran's foreign policy is a direct result of the war's outcome and the country's shift in approach.