An article published in the American magazine “Foreign Affairs” by the former Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, sparked widespread controversy in Iran, reaching the point of directing an official rebuke to him, according to informed sources reported by the “Fars” agency.
The sources reported that the content of the article was considered inconsistent with the requirements of national security, especially in light of the ongoing war and regional escalation. This came after a campaign of harsh criticism launched by those close to the decision-making centers against the former minister.
In a related context, the Iranian Public Prosecution issued a warning directed to political and media figures, stressing the need to refrain from publishing any opinions or materials that “contradict national interests, national unity, and social cohesion,” or exceed the limits of authority, especially in this sensitive period.
In his article, Zarif called for mutual concessions between Iran and the United States to end the state of conflict, and proposed concluding a “comprehensive peace agreement” that would include restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, in exchange for easing sanctions on Tehran.
Zarif considered that the two sides must “exploit this disaster as an opportunity to end a hostility that has lasted 47 years,” stressing that the war demonstrated the impossibility of stopping the Iranian missile and nuclear programs by military force alone.
But these proposals sparked angry reactions within the conservative movement. Saeed Haddadian, who is close to the Supreme Leader’s office, described Zarif as a “spy,” while Hossein Shariatmadari, editor-in-chief of Kayhan newspaper, which is close to the Supreme Leader, saw that these proposals represented “submission to enemies,” and called on the judicial authorities to hold him accountable.
Zarif is considered one of the most prominent figures associated with former President Hassan Rouhani, and his political appearance has declined since the beginning of the war about six weeks ago, before he recently returned to the spotlight through articles and posts on social media.
