In this process, it is definitely not possible to ignore the guidance of Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei for a precise and clear definition of goals, coordination between power and diplomacy, and the use of revolutionary and experienced diplomats. In this article, examples of the works of wisdom in the country’s foreign policy, which also resulted in national dignity, are discussed.
1. Since 2018, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) attacked Syria with the military support of NATO, the political support of the European Union and several Arab countries, and establishing and arming violent terrorist groups such as ISIS, as well as obvious interferences in the internal affairs of Syria. Iran, as the biggest supporter of the Syrian people, rushed to help Syria based on the official invitation of President Bashar al-Assad to support the Arab country’s legitimate government. Beyond hidden information and rational analysis, it was clear to Iranian politicians that the next target of America in West Asia is the Islamic Republic of Iran and the success of Syria’s enemies will pose serious security threats to Iran. The ability of martyr Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani to convince the Russian government to side with Iran and fight terrorism in Syria was one of the highlights of Iran’s foreign policy. The defeat of Syria’s enemies in this confrontation and the destruction of terrorist groups proved that Iran has the ability to support its allies to secure its national interests. Today, the victory of Iran’s wise diplomacy is becoming more apparent as Arab countries compete with each other to be friends with Syria while Bashar al-Assad is warmly welcomed in the Arab League. The visit of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Syria, which marked a new chapter in the deepening of relations between Tehran and Damascus, and the decision of the parties to implement projects such as connecting the Iranian railway network through Iraq to the Syrian port of Latakia in the Mediterranean Sea, confirms Iran’s right decision to support the people of Syria and the legitimate president of this country.
2. After the fall of Saddam, Iran recognized the transitional government of Iraq within the framework of its wise policy and continued its benevolent consultations without interfering in Iraq’s internal affairs. Iran also participated in the approval of the constitution of the Arab country. Tehran clarified to its Iraqi friends the examples of US interference in Iraq’s internal affairs, and during the proxy onslaught of ISIS in Iraq, it bravely stood by the Iraqi people and played an effective role in the defeat of ISIS in this country. The possibility of the partition of Iraq due to the separatist tendencies of the Kurds and the provocation of America and Israel was among the concerns of Baghdad authorities. Iran seriously opposed the partition of Iraq and targeted the separatists in the Iraqi region under the command of General Soleimani. The main strategy of Iran’s foreign policy, along with strengthening relations with Iraq, was to neutralize the threats of America and anti-Iranian forces based in the region, which targeted Iran’s national security and interests. Iran started a new round of relations between the two countries with the exchange of high-ranking delegations, including Mr. Raisi’s successful trip to Iraq. The close relationship between the people of the two countries and their love for the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUH), which is evident in the Arbaeen walk and the Iraqi people’s trips to holy Mashhad and Qom, is regarded as the basis of the official relations between Tehran and Baghdad.
3. In Yemen, for about seven years, a full-scale war was waged by the Saudi coalition against the oppressed, Muslim people of Yemen. This war, which continued under the support of the United States and several European countries, created the worst humanitarian crisis in recent years. By adopting a wise policy while condemning this aggression, Iran insisted on the independence of Yemen and respect for its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Iran also sent the necessary aid to the people of this country despite the land, air and sea blockade of Yemen. In the political arena, it also supported the negotiations of the parties in Geneva. In this process, the Stockholm negotiations were formed with the support of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Yemen’s Ansarullah was also smartly active in the political arena to resolve the crisis, in addition to extensive defense of the country. The visit of Martin Griffiths, the UN special envoy for Yemen affairs, to Tehran showed the constructive role of the Islamic Republic in helping to resolve this crisis. The need to immediately stop the war in Yemen by the Saudi coalition, lift the complete land, sea and air blockade of Yemen, withdraw the foreign mercenary forces that were fighting against the people, and support the internal dialogues between the Yemeni parties under the supervision of the United Nations were among Iran’s policies. The issue of Yemen was the main focus of the two-year negotiations between Iran and Saudi Arabia to normalize relations, and today’s openings in Yemen and hope for a bright future in this country are one of the results of Iran’s wise policy towards this issue.
4. One of the main strategies of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Afghanistan was aimed at the withdrawal of American troops from this country, which is what happened. The US opposed the establishment of stability in Afghanistan and the country’s interaction with its neighbors, and intended to threaten and harm Iran through Afghanistan. The US ultimately did not succeed, and Iran passed this stage by adopting rational policies in both field and diplomacy. Iran wanted to establish a comprehensive government in Afghanistan, and the Taliban coming to power was not our wish, but due to the existing realities, the country’s policy of interaction and cooperation with the new government of Afghanistan was established. The approach of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Afghanistan is long-term, intelligent and based on strengthening relations with its neighbors. Iran has a serious interaction with the Taliban government in order to protect its security and economic benefits, resolve disputes including the Helmand (Hirmand) water issue, and also support the Afghan people, especially the six million refugees. Connecting the infrastructures between the two countries in different fields and increasing the volume of trade relations from $1.5 billion to $3 billion are among Iran’s objectives. At the same time, Tehran, in bilateral meetings and consultations with Afghanistan’s neighbors, pursues the launch of a political dialogue between the Taliban and other ethnic groups in order to form a comprehensive government in this country.
(The views expressed in this piece do not necessarily reflect those of IRNA)
**7129**4261