Mina Incident and the Need for Iran’s Redefinition of Its Security Paradigm

By: Sadegh Kharrazi

Thanks to the sacrifices of the nation, and the insight of the Supreme Leader, the Islamic Republic of Iran has now turned into an influential actor, not only in regional, but also in international affairs. Once accused of adventurism, Iran is now the 'anchor of stability' in the region and a reliable partner in solving regional crises.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei's address to Iranian hajj authorities on Monday October 19, 2015 bears immense significance. It lays out the rationale of the Islamic Republic, its doctrine of deterrence, and its mission towards the Muslim World.

Embattled in several fronts, the Saudi government has lost its capacity to manage the massive, historical ceremony of the hajj. Riyadh is not only engaged in an open assault on its neighboring country of Yemen, but is also spending a significant share of its security and defense resources to support takfiri groups in Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Libya. The consequences of these ventures are openly visible in the domestic scene.

In the meantime, instead of taking advice from the Muslim World, even some of its wiser neighbors, the Saudi government has stretched its hands towards Netanyahu and the Israeli lobby in the US. This strategic turn has born no result but only wasted billions of dollars and encouraged decision-making centers in the US towards policies that undermine security and stability in the region.

Apart from the Saudi government's responsibility to change its policies, human rights organizations and international bodies should also break the silence and investigate misconducts caused by this adventurous government.

Iran, on the other hand, cannot be negligent, not only to the pains of its own citizens, but also to those of the Muslim World. As the most influential actor in the region, Iran should define a new security paradigm. To defend its national security and protect the life and legal rights of its citizens, Iran should muster its diplomatic capacity and clarify the cost-benefit calculus for those states that have opted for a hostile attitude towards the Iranian nation.

* This is an abridged version of Sadegh Kharrazi's op-ed in Shargh newspaper on Tuesday October 20, 2015. Shargh, published since 2003, has been probably the most prestigious Reformist newspaper. Sadegh Kharrazi has served as deputy minister of foreign affairs and also ambassador to France during the presidency of Mohammad Khatami. He was also a member of the nuclear negotiation team in the early 2000s.