Rouhani’s Right Decision
Prior to Rouhani’s visit to Istanbul to participate in the OIC Summit, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran had a clear message for the Islamic countries and expressed hope to resolve the differences and establish unity among these countries and cooperation in the fight against terrorism. There was one key point in his remarks when he said that if the countries of the region do not cooperate, the problem of radicalism and terrorism will not be resolved. Considering certain rumors regarding the possibility of Rouhani’s non-participation in this significant summit, this visit presents active diplomacy in the foreign policy of the 11th administration. Iran, as an important country of the region, should participate at the highest level in OIC Summits which are held in long intervals and discuss the issues of the region and the world of Islam because it would serve our national interests. Rouhani’s message also strengthens Iran’s righteous positions with regard to the establishment of regional dialogue and cooperation against countries like Saudi Arabia and its allies.
It is obvious that there are many differences about the issues of the Middle East. Basically, Iran’s view of the region and issues of Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen are completely different from those of the Persian Gulf Arab states. Two paths are now ahead of Iran; the first path is to use the present limited media diplomacy and encourage Arab states to accept their mistakes by exerting pressure on them and if they do so, then sit at the negotiating table. This path is not suitable for the present conditions of the region and the views of some Arab countries. The second path is to follow regional issues and the continuation of the proxy, ethnic and tribal wars and find common points while maintaining our principal positions. It does not seem that there would be an exceptional opportunity to talk with Saudi officials in this summit but my experience during my diplomatic career leaves a ray of hope.
Usually, these summits create a good opportunity for certain dialogues to take place either incidentally or through a mediator. I remember when the president of the reformist government was invited to a summit, there was no previous plan to meet with the president of Algeria. Attempts were made to improve relations between Iran and Algeria but there was no hope. In that summit, an opportunity was raised and Iran’s President met with Mr. Bouteflika, who had just become the Algerian president. Then after a short period of time, the relations improved. There are different views of Saudi Arabia in Iran, but when Iran’s diplomacy is based on reduction of regional tensions and political resolution of problems, this view should be expressed. When the critics of the nuclear agreement were asked about their solution for elimination of sanctions and pressures, they did not have any answer. Considering the relative understanding in the world about the absence of any non-political solution to the crisis in Syria and the presence of Iran and Saudi Arabia in the international meetings in this regard, one hopes that Saudi Arabia would also accept this path for the resolution of the problems.
It is clear that Saudi Arabia has a concentrated government and decisions are made within a closed circle, especially now that the new king of this country has different views from the former king. That is why Saudi officials intend to confront Iran in all areas; oil, football, Syria, Yemen … Saudi Arabia has risked its reputation in Yemen and has not yet achieved its goals in this war. Therefore, we must make efforts so that Saudi Arabia would realize this matter sooner. Today, the views of the international community and Iran are closer than the views of the international community and Saudi Arabia. If the problems of the region are not resolved, the path towards development will be more difficult for all countries of region.
Certainly, the terrorist acts in Istanbul will threaten other capitals of this region, thus, all states should reach the common point that these acts should be stopped from the root and there is no other way than reducing the differences and sitting behind negotiating tables. If we wait for the withdrawal of the other side from its regional positions, perhaps the region would be filled with tension and war and there would be no opportunity for talk and dialogue.
The presence of Dr. Rouhani in this summit is an exceptional opportunity if other sides realize the seriousness of the present conditions of the Middle East.