Former Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Monday called for direct talks with the United States and proposed opening stand-alone US and Iranian interest sections, saying Donald Trump could frame such a move as a legacy achievement.
“This is a good opportunity for Iran to begin its direct and comprehensive negotiations with the United States with the establishment of interests sections in Tehran and Washington,” Zarif said at the general assembly of Iran's Reform Front.
Switzerland has been representing US interests in Iran since Washington and Tehran cut ties shortly after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran also has an Interests Section inside the Pakistani embassy in Washington DC.
What Zarif is proposing is a stand-alone Interests Section, similar to the one Iran currently operates in Cairo, Egypt, which protects the Islamic Republic's interests in the absence of an ambassador.
"The establishment of interests sections in the two countries could be an important achievement for the current US president, as he could then claim that he accomplished something his predecessors were unable to do," Zarif said.
Zarif said Iran must recognize the strategic differences between its adversaries.
“The difference between the United States and Israel in relation to Iran is in strategy; meaning that Israel is seeking the collapse of the system and the disintegration of Iran, but the United States wants a weakened Iran," he said. "On the other hand, Iran still has the ability to strike Israel, and at the same time the region is worried about Israel’s unilateralism.
An architect of Iran's now mostly-defunct nuclear deal, Zarif has been out of favor since he resigned as vice-president in March a few days after Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei voiced his opposition to US talks.
Last month, Khamenei reiterated his opposition to calls by Tehran moderates for direct negotiations with the United States, insisting that Washington’s hostility could not be resolved through talks and those calling for talks are short-sighted.
Snapback and domestic woes
Zarif warned that the snapback mechanism launched by European powers at the UN Security Council threatens to end the 2015 nuclear agreement permanently,
“Those who say the activation of the snapback mechanism has no economic impact do not realize that if Europe and the United Nations reinstate their sanctions, its severe negative impact will be felt not only on the macroeconomy but also directly on the daily life of the people,” Zarif said, adding that failure to act could consign the JCPOA to history within weeks.
Domestically, he called for a careful narrative that maintains Iran’s nuclear rights while avoiding a sense of retreat.
“We must inside the country produce a narrative that does not create a feeling of defeat and retreat, and at the same time stand firm on our positions and not retreat from having the right to enrichment," Zarif said.
