(Bandar Seri Begawan, 30th) As an international relations scholar who has been at the forefront of global diplomacy for decades, Iranian Vice President Zarif writes this article on his own behalf, not on behalf of the Iranian government.
He proposes establishing the Muslim West Asia Dialogue Association (MWADA) as a mechanism to achieve this transformation.
The Iranian Embassy in Brunei released a statement by Iranian Vice President Zarif on how Iran can make the region safer and more prosperous.
MWADA invites all core Muslim countries in West Asia—Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, (future government) Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen—to engage in comprehensive talks. Relevant United Nations envoys may also participate.
This initiative should be based on the high Islamic values of our common religion, as well as the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference, and collective security. MWADA means "friendship" in Arabic, which is also the language of our collective prayers. The organization should aim to promote peaceful coexistence and equal partnerships.
A key priority is to immediately establish sustainable permanent ceasefires in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. Non-aggression treaties between MWADA countries, along with collective regional oversight, will help institutionalize stability, protecting the region from external interference and internal conflicts.
Economic integration is also central to this vision. A lack of interdependence within West Asia is due to fragmented trade networks, insufficient attention to the development of intra-regional banking and payment mechanisms, political rivalry, and dependence on external markets. The proposed MWADA Development Fund could finance critical infrastructure projects, particularly in post-conflict areas.
Furthermore, governance reform in Syria, as a basis for economic aid, will promote accountability and lay the foundation for a secure and stable state where women and minorities can thrive.
The humanitarian disaster in Palestine is also crucial for regional stability. MWADA must prioritize the Palestinians' right to self-determination and support a just solution while fully respecting the people's aspirations. This involves not only political solutions but also economic opportunities and the recognition of Palestinian rights.
MWADA will provide fertile ground for infrastructure projects, from transportation to energy pipelines and telecommunications networks. These do not only facilitate the flow of goods but also energy, information, and services. We West Asians should understand that independence is closely related to a nation's share in the global value chain.
Energy security guarantees another opportunity for interdependence. Regional energy agreements should aim to protect shipping routes and explore sustainable energy resources. The Iranian plateau and other terrains within the MWADA community suitable for solar and wind farms have vast untapped potential, making cooperative production of clean energy economically viable for a broader region and beyond.
MWADA could also herald new regional freedom of navigation cooperation, including joint maritime security patrols. The region has strategic points, including the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Given its geographical position and security expertise, Iran has a unique advantage in securing waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz. Other countries could take a leading role in ensuring the security of the Suez and Bab el-Mandeb straits.
Iran and Saudi Arabia, the two most influential powers in the region, will play a key role in this partnership. By fostering unity and fellowship between Shia and Sunni Muslims, we can counteract the extremism and sectarian strife that have historically undermined regional stability.
Efforts to achieve a nuclear weapons-free zone and reviving the Iranian nuclear agreement (JCPOA) are crucial components of this vision. This approach should address nuclear proliferation and reinforce a collective commitment to peace and stability. The MWADA framework should also prioritize collaboration on cultural exchanges, water management, counter-terrorism, and media outreach that promotes coexistence.
Like other participants, Iran will play an indispensable role. Over the past 45 years, Iran has shown remarkable resilience and self-sufficiency in security and defense, managing to survive and even thrive despite pressures from extraregional powers, without foreign aid.
There is a widespread perception that Iran is losing arms in the region, which stems from the erroneous assumption that Iran has proxy relations with resistance forces. The roots of resistance lie in Israel's occupation of Arab lands, desecration of Islamic holy sites, apartheid, genocide, and continuous aggression against neighboring countries. It existed before the 1979 Iranian Revolution and will continue as long as its roots remain. Attempting to blame Iran may thwart a PR campaign but will hinder any solution.
Like all countries, Iran faces its own challenges and mistakes. After enduring significant sacrifices, the Iranian people are now ready—with resilience and confidence—to take bold steps. This shift from threat-focused to opportunity-driven perspectives aligns with the vision outlined by President Pezeskiyan (and himself) during the Iranian presidential campaign last summer.
MWADA challenges us to reimagine the region not as a battlefield but as a center of MWADA, friendship, and empathy, characterized by the pursuit of shared opportunities and common prosperity. Engaging in meaningful—even candid—dialogue is crucial, enabling us to create a future defined by cooperation, shared and sustainable development, social justice, welfare, and new hope.
Transforming West Asia into a beacon of peace and cooperation is not just an idealistic aspiration; it is both a strategic imperative and an achievable goal requiring commitment, dialogue, and a shared vision. MWADA can be the platform for transformation. Let us seize this opportunity to build a stable, prosperous, and peaceful West Asia, where empathy, understanding, and cooperation replace discord and division. Our governments' officials must seize the opportunity to begin looking to the future, rather than remain prisoners of the past. Now is the time to take action.
Zarif, from 2013 to 2021, served as Foreign Minister under the moderate President Rouhani's government and became a familiar figure on the international stage through the long negotiations of the 2015 Iranian nuclear agreement.
The Iranian Embassy in Brunei released a statement by Iranian Vice President Zarif on how Iran can make the region safer and more prosperous.
MWADA invites all core Muslim countries in West Asia—Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, (future government) Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen—to engage in comprehensive talks. Relevant United Nations envoys may also participate.
This initiative should be based on the high Islamic values of our common religion, as well as the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference, and collective security. MWADA means "friendship" in Arabic, which is also the language of our collective prayers. The organization should aim to promote peaceful coexistence and equal partnerships.
A key priority is to immediately establish sustainable permanent ceasefires in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. Non-aggression treaties between MWADA countries, along with collective regional oversight, will help institutionalize stability, protecting the region from external interference and internal conflicts.
Economic integration is also central to this vision. A lack of interdependence within West Asia is due to fragmented trade networks, insufficient attention to the development of intra-regional banking and payment mechanisms, political rivalry, and dependence on external markets. The proposed MWADA Development Fund could finance critical infrastructure projects, particularly in post-conflict areas.
Furthermore, governance reform in Syria, as a basis for economic aid, will promote accountability and lay the foundation for a secure and stable state where women and minorities can thrive.
The humanitarian disaster in Palestine is also crucial for regional stability. MWADA must prioritize the Palestinians' right to self-determination and support a just solution while fully respecting the people's aspirations. This involves not only political solutions but also economic opportunities and the recognition of Palestinian rights.
MWADA will provide fertile ground for infrastructure projects, from transportation to energy pipelines and telecommunications networks. These do not only facilitate the flow of goods but also energy, information, and services. We West Asians should understand that independence is closely related to a nation's share in the global value chain.
Energy security guarantees another opportunity for interdependence. Regional energy agreements should aim to protect shipping routes and explore sustainable energy resources. The Iranian plateau and other terrains within the MWADA community suitable for solar and wind farms have vast untapped potential, making cooperative production of clean energy economically viable for a broader region and beyond.
MWADA could also herald new regional freedom of navigation cooperation, including joint maritime security patrols. The region has strategic points, including the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Given its geographical position and security expertise, Iran has a unique advantage in securing waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz. Other countries could take a leading role in ensuring the security of the Suez and Bab el-Mandeb straits.
Iran and Saudi Arabia, the two most influential powers in the region, will play a key role in this partnership. By fostering unity and fellowship between Shia and Sunni Muslims, we can counteract the extremism and sectarian strife that have historically undermined regional stability.
Efforts to achieve a nuclear weapons-free zone and reviving the Iranian nuclear agreement (JCPOA) are crucial components of this vision. This approach should address nuclear proliferation and reinforce a collective commitment to peace and stability. The MWADA framework should also prioritize collaboration on cultural exchanges, water management, counter-terrorism, and media outreach that promotes coexistence.
Like other participants, Iran will play an indispensable role. Over the past 45 years, Iran has shown remarkable resilience and self-sufficiency in security and defense, managing to survive and even thrive despite pressures from extraregional powers, without foreign aid.
There is a widespread perception that Iran is losing arms in the region, which stems from the erroneous assumption that Iran has proxy relations with resistance forces. The roots of resistance lie in Israel's occupation of Arab lands, desecration of Islamic holy sites, apartheid, genocide, and continuous aggression against neighboring countries. It existed before the 1979 Iranian Revolution and will continue as long as its roots remain. Attempting to blame Iran may thwart a PR campaign but will hinder any solution.
Like all countries, Iran faces its own challenges and mistakes. After enduring significant sacrifices, the Iranian people are now ready—with resilience and confidence—to take bold steps. This shift from threat-focused to opportunity-driven perspectives aligns with the vision outlined by President Pezeskiyan (and himself) during the Iranian presidential campaign last summer.
MWADA challenges us to reimagine the region not as a battlefield but as a center of MWADA, friendship, and empathy, characterized by the pursuit of shared opportunities and common prosperity. Engaging in meaningful—even candid—dialogue is crucial, enabling us to create a future defined by cooperation, shared and sustainable development, social justice, welfare, and new hope.
Transforming West Asia into a beacon of peace and cooperation is not just an idealistic aspiration; it is both a strategic imperative and an achievable goal requiring commitment, dialogue, and a shared vision. MWADA can be the platform for transformation. Let us seize this opportunity to build a stable, prosperous, and peaceful West Asia, where empathy, understanding, and cooperation replace discord and division. Our governments' officials must seize the opportunity to begin looking to the future, rather than remain prisoners of the past. Now is the time to take action.
Zarif, from 2013 to 2021, served as Foreign Minister under the moderate President Rouhani's government and became a familiar figure on the international stage through the long negotiations of the 2015 Iranian nuclear agreement.