Diplomatic Initiatives Helpful in Countering Anti-Iran Propaganda

EghtesadOnline: The Foreign Ministry's suggestions for better cooperation with Persian Gulf states can help counter many of the baseless allegations against the country, a former diplomat said.

News ID: ۷۴۷۵۰۰

08 June 2019

Iran has proposed the establishment of a regional dialogue forum as well as a non-aggression treaty among Persian Gulf states as solutions to ease regional tensions, chiefly stemming from the friction between Iran and the United States over the 2015 nuclear deal.

Washington abandoned the agreement last year and is using all possible means of pressure against Tehran. Its increased military presence in the Middle East, along with its anti-Iran propaganda, has exacerbated tensions in an already volatile region, according to Financial Tribune.

"The Islamic Republic … has put forward different plans that involve the collaboration of all regional countries for avoiding military approaches and bringing peace and stability to the region," Mohammad Ali Hosseini, a former Foreign Ministry spokesman, said in a recent interview with ISNA.

The two proposals, he added, can help reduce tensions and bring security and stability to the region provided other involved countries also embrace it.

"Nevertheless, the disapproval of several parties … cannot and must not hinder diplomatic efforts to find peaceful solutions on the basis of dialogue and collaboration," he said.

“Whether it is put into practice or not, offering such proposals and insisting on their implementation would have positive results for the country.”

The former diplomat explained that certain Arab countries of the region, guided by the most extremist elements in the US administration, try to depict Iran as an aggressive country that follows destabilizing policies.

"The two initiatives and Iran's seriousness in pursuing their implementation indicate that those allegations are unfounded and meaningless," he said.

Hosseini noted that this would prove that such claims are, in fact, true of countries that oppose and act against such ideas with no reason.

"[It shows that they] prefer insecurity and instability and the presence of foreigners in the region, which has no outcome but extremism and terrorism, instead of constructive ideas that ensure security," he said.