The panel's topic was "Iran and the Changing Regional Security Environment." It featured Zarif alongside Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi and Nathalie Tocci, Director of the Institute of International Affairs in Italy. During the discussion, Zarif strongly defended Iran's regional policy and appealed for cooperation with Arab nations.
Zarif stated, "We have supported the Palestinian issue and Arab causes more than the Arab countries themselves, yet we are still blamed. Iran has paid a heavy price for this." He urged Arab countries to "wake up and smell the coffee"—meaning to recognize reality. According to Zarif, Arab nations would benefit from cooperating with Iran, as Iran has no territorial ambitions toward any Arab neighbor.
A heated debate erupted over the Arash gas field issue, leading to a sharp exchange with the GCC Secretary-General. Zarif claimed that Kuwait and Saudi Arabia had refused talks, while Iran was ready. He called Israel the "disease" of the region and appealed to Arab countries to unite.
Zarif strongly criticized US interference, saying that America's meddling in Arab countries' internal affairs had damaged regional stability. Neither Arab strategies nor European efforts had yielded any benefits. Emphasizing Iran's resilience, he said Iran has faced storms for centuries and remains standing strong today.
These statements have once again brought regional tensions into the spotlight. Experts believe Zarif's remarks are part of Iran's new strategy, using the Palestinian issue as a moral foundation to garner support in the Arab world. Such pointed comments on platforms like the Doha Forum challenge prospects for regional cooperation but also open possibilities for new dialogue.
Sajjad Ali Nayani ✍🏼
