Iran's Foreign Minister Zarif made a recent statement: "We are willing to prepare for de-escalation, but aggression must stop first - the attacks must stop first. Only after that can negotiations be considered."
Zarif's latest statement reflects Tehran's "conditional restraint" stance in the current tense situation.
Zarif's core logic is very clear: ceasefire is a prerequisite for negotiation, not a result. He emphasized that "the attacks must stop first," which means that Iran views the current conflict as a one-sided aggression caused by external forces (mainly Israel). If the international community wants Iran to maintain restraint or return to the negotiating table, the primary responsibility lies with the aggressor to cease military actions.
Diplomatically leaving room for maneuver, excluding "surrender-style negotiations"
Although the wording is firm, it still leaves room for diplomatic flexibility. This indicates that Iran has not closed the door to dialogue, but also shows that negotiating while under attack is unacceptable to the Iranian public. This statement aims to demonstrate to the domestic population the government's determination to defend sovereignty, while also sending a signal to the international community that "we are not belligerent, but we have red lines."
Zarif's speech attempts to find a balance between "resistance" and "diplomacy": if external pressure (attacks) continues, Iran will resist; if the pressure stops, Iran is willing to resolve differences through negotiations. This position serves both as a deterrent to potential adversaries and as reassurance to domestic hardliners.
The next thing to watch is: whether Israel will respond to the call to "stop the aggression," and the role of the United States in this context. If the conflict continues, Iran's "consideration" may turn into "retaliation."
In fact, talks would not lead to any results. Iran cannot accept the conditions set by the United States. If they do accept, it would amount to surrendering.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1858400803392512/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.