Iran’s Vice-President Zarif highlights the ‘war of narratives’ in global diplomacy, particularly regarding Iran’s image as a nuclear threat perpetuated by Israel. He critiques Israel’s historical narrative manipulation and emphasizes the necessity for Iran to construct its own counter-narrative aimed at redefining its national security posture.
Iran’s Vice-President for Strategic Affairs, Mohammad Javad Zarif, emphasized that the current global environment is characterized by a “war of narratives” where effective international diplomacy often blurs factual truths. He underscored the proficiency with which Israel has managed this narrative warfare, particularly in the context of its ongoing tensions with Iran. Zarif’s comments were made during the release of a comprehensive policy document that seeks to address Iran’s security issues through a historical perspective.
Zarif traced the conflict surrounding Iran’s nuclear activities back to the 1990s, noting that Israel was at the forefront of initiating baseless fears about Iran’s nuclear intentions. He argued that Israel’s portrayal of Iran as a looming threat is a manipulated reality, designed to paint Iran as a danger to global security. This tactic, according to Zarif, has successfully created a perception of an “Iran threat” that influences international discourse.
Further, Zarif criticized Israel’s opposition to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—the 2015 nuclear agreement—which Israel had actively sought to undermine. If Israel were truly concerned about a nuclear-capable Iran, Zarif argued, it would have embraced the JCPOA as a means to prevent such a scenario, contradicting its longstanding positions against the agreement.
He pointed out the effectiveness of Israel’s narrative machinery, leveraging media and entertainment industries to shape public perception globally. Through this narrative, Israel claims that a “weakened” Iran necessitates military action, a conclusion Zarif disputes. He advocates for a re-evaluation of this narrative, suggesting that Iran must shift the discourse rather than resort to further military aggression against Israel.
Zarif articulates a vision for Iran to establish a new compelling narrative, which seeks to counteract and dismantle the existing characterizations imposed by Israel. This proposed narrative emerges from extensive research conducted by the Center for Strategic Studies and aims to redefine Iran’s position on the international stage, portraying a comprehensive strategy to address both security concerns and narrative weakness.
The statement by Mohammad Javad Zarif highlights a prevalent issue in contemporary international relations: the manipulation of narratives to frame national security threats. In the context of Iran-Israel relations, Israel has historically portrayed Iran as a significant threat, particularly regarding nuclear capabilities. This has shaped global perceptions and diplomatic engagements, especially following the JCPOA negotiations. Zarif’s perspective emphasizes the need for Iran to counteract these narratives effectively to safeguard its interests and influence in the region.
In summary, Zarif’s address outlined the critical role of narrative construction in international diplomacy, particularly noting Israel’s proficiency in this area. He argued that Iran must redefine its own narrative to counteract negative perceptions, especially concerning its nuclear program. By developing a new strategic narrative, Iran can assert its national security interests while addressing the fabricated threats posed by Israeli rhetoric.
Original Source: en.irna.ir
