Senior adviser: Iran ready for dialogue with West

In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, conveyed a surprising openness towards cooperation with Western nations, despite escalating tensions following recent Israeli airstrikes in Iran.

Velayati, a former foreign minister with strong ties to Khamenei, stated, “The Islamic Republic is open to cooperation with any Western state that seeks genuine interaction with Iran, provided it respects Iran’s sovereignty and treats us as an equal,” Caliber.Az reports. 

This declaration comes at a time when Iran is reassessing its foreign policy to foster better relations, particularly with European countries.

The context for Velayati's remarks is significant. Following the July election of reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran has expressed a desire to recalibrate its foreign policy.

Analysts suggest that while Iran might avoid immediate military retaliation to recent Israeli strikes, the geopolitical landscape remains fraught with complexity. Velayati emphasized Iran's strategy to redefine its balance in relations with not only Western nations but also Eastern and developing countries, asserting, “We welcome friendship with any country, from Europe to Asia or Africa.”

However, the recent spike in tensions with Israel, particularly following Hamas's October 7 attack, complicates this diplomatic overture. Just hours after Pezeshkian’s inauguration, Ismail Haniyeh, the political chief of Hamas, was reportedly assassinated in Tehran, allegedly by Israeli operatives.

Iran's decision to refrain from immediate retaliation, despite vowing to avenge Haniyeh's death, indicates a cautious approach under Pezeshkian’s leadership, who seeks new diplomatic initiatives and a ceasefire in Gaza.

The situation escalated dramatically when Israel conducted significant airstrikes on Iranian military targets across several provinces, marking the largest conventional military attack on Iran since the Iran-Iraq War.

Iran confirmed the deaths of four soldiers in the strikes but withheld further details. Velayati dismissed the Israeli attacks as “much ado about nothing,” accusing Israel of exacerbating regional instability. He warned, “In its role as a warmongering entity, the regime has the potential to set the volatile Middle East region on fire.”

Despite the prevailing tensions, Velayati reiterated Iran's policy of not initiating wars, citing the Iran-Iraq War as evidence of this principle. He stated, “We would confront an act of aggression in a way that would make any aggressor regret what they did.” Iran's government is focused on strengthening ties with its neighbours while seeking to repair relations with European countries and revive nuclear discussions with the US.

The relationship between Iran and Europe has been strained, especially with allegations of Iran supplying drones to Russia for use in the Ukraine conflict, which Iran denies. Western diplomats in Tehran have noted a shift in tone with the new administration, although substantial policy changes are yet to be seen.

Velayati articulated scepticism about US intentions, highlighting the duality of US support for Israel and calls for de-escalation, saying, “We don’t believe in US goodwill. The US’s direct, unconditional support for Israel and its simultaneous calls for de-escalation through intermediaries are simply two sides of the same coin.”

As Iran navigates these complex relationships, the outcome of the upcoming US presidential elections will be crucial in determining the future of nuclear talks and broader diplomatic efforts. Velayati’s remarks underscore the delicate balancing act Iran must perform as it seeks to engage with the West while maintaining its sovereignty and regional influence.

By Aghakazim Guliyev