Tehran – Kamal Haraj, head of Iran’s Strategic Council on Diplomacy, calls for serious and sustained dialogue between Iran in the Persian Gulf and its Arab neighbours, citing increasing rationality and political maturity throughout the region.
It peaked in the Persian Gulf in light of regional and international developments in Tehran on Thursday, and said, “Given the current maturity among regional nations, there is a real need for dialogue between Iran and the Arab states of the Persian Gulf. Iran has always been seeking this involvement.”
The meeting was held to mark the National Gulf Day of the Persian Gulf, which is observed annually on the 10th of Ordibhesth, the second month of the Iranian calendar, corresponding to April 30th. This date marks the 1622 victory of Iranian Shah Abbas I.
Emphasizing Iran’s hard power capabilities, Kharrazi said it was time to prioritize soft power, including diplomacy, cultural engagement and regional cooperation. He has called attention to Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, particularly since the event on October 7, 2023, and reminded them of the need for regional unity.
“Israel’s actions are part of a larger Zionist strategy aimed at expanding territory from the Nile to the Euphrates,” he warned, citing a historic Israeli statement after the 1967 war.
Kharrazi repeated Iran’s support for early initiatives such as the “Hormuz Peace Endeavor (hope)” and the new “Amitipran (Muslim West Asian Dialogue Association).”
He said UN Security Council resolution 598 calls for the establishment of such a forum, but has not yet been realized. “More than ever, the new era of collective action is ripe for us by sharing threats and economic challenges,” he said.
Additionally, Kharrazi revealed that Tehran will soon be holding a high-level Iranian-Arab dialogue summit at the Centre for Politics and International Studies. The event is expected to attract participants from several Arab countries, as well as Iranian intellectuals and researchers.
“This is a unique opportunity to present a new strategic image of Iran,” he said. “The future of this region is about energy, technology, culture and even safe cooperation, and Iran is ready for it.”