Iranian officials dismissed the new U.S. Middle East peace plan presented by President Donald Trump on January 28. They thought the plan heavily favored Israel over the Palestinians. The plan, supported by Israel, called for a two-state solution. But Palestinian and Iranian leaders said the arrangements would not create a viable independent state.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called the proposal “delusional” even before the details were announced. In a later tweet, he renamed the plan “Sleepwalking into Catastrophe.” Parliamentary Speaker Ali Larijani alleged the United States was preparing larger plot to humiliate the world’s Muslims through the “fake” plan.
After the 1979 revolution, Iran’s new theocratic regime labeled the United States the “Great Satan” and Israel the “Little Satan.” Iran considered Israel to be an occupier of lands holy to and long governed by Muslims. It has supported militant groups, including Hezbollah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, that have attacked Israel. Iran has also promoted the Palestinian cause to enhance its revolutionary credentials among Arabs and the wider Muslim world.
A revived regional peace process could help further nurture a de facto thawing between Israel and the Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, Iran’s chief rival in the Gulf. In his remarks at the White House, President Trump highlighted the attendance of the Bahraini, Emirati and Omani ambassadors, which may have been an indication of support. The following are reactions by Iranian officials.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
“This plan will die before the death of Trump,” he said. “Hence, the coming and going and expenditures for it, and unveiling it, is a stupid move.”
“We believe armed Palestinian organizations will resist” the plan.
—Feb. 5, 2020, in an interview with state media
President Hassan Rouhani
Enough of these foolish attempts. The Most Despicable Plan of the Century.#DespicablePlan
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) January 29, 2020
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif
Could Mandela ever have imagined re-emergence of BANTUSTANS, decades after liberation of South Africa?
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 29, 2020
"Vision for Peace" looks more like "Highway to Hell".
We Muslims need to wake up: The U.S. never was—and can never be—anything resembling an honest broker.#Unite4Palestine pic.twitter.com/yVh8rLjYwE
Instead of a delusional “Deal of the Century”—which will be D.O.A.—self-described "champions of democracy” would do better to accept Iran's democratic solution proposed by Ayatollah @khamenei_ir:
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 27, 2020
A referendum whereby ALL Palestinians—Muslim, Jew or Christian—decide their future.
The so-called "Vision for Peace" is simply the dream project of a bankruptcy-ridden real estate developer.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 28, 2020
But it is a nightmare for the region and the world
And, hopefully, a wake-up call for all the Muslims who have been barking up the wrong tree.#LetsUniteForPalestinians pic.twitter.com/j2CJ9JaH9c
Parliamentary Speaker Ali Larijani
“The U.S. has prepared a larger plot for Muslims to humiliate all of them through the fake plan of (the deal of) the century.”
“The (U.S.) boldness is the result of the divisions among Islamic countries that allowed the Zionist regime and the U.S. to make criminal moves.”
—Jan. 28, 2020, during an open session of parliament
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi
“The Zionist regime is a usurper and occupying regime, and the only way to settle the Palestinian crisis will be holding a referendum among the main inhabitants of the Palestinian land, and such vicious plans are doomed to defeat.”
“It’s a pity that certain Islamic countries have neglected such cause which has targeted the future and dignity of Muslims and the Islamic countries, have replaced the friend with the enemy, and are losing sight of more than 70 years of anti-human crimes committed by the Zionist regime, either intentionally or with strategic negligence.”
“Considering the urgency and importance of the issue of Palestine and the big plot that has been hatched against the Islamic Ummah under the guise of the so-called deal of the century, the Islamic Republic of Iran is prepared –regardless of its disagreements with a number of regional countries, many of which have been created by the usurpers of the holy al Quds and the bargainers of the reputation, dignity, and honor of Muslims- to cooperate (with the regional countries) at any level for the sake of the Islamic world’s unity and in order to counter the big plot that has threatened the sovereignty of the Islamic Ummah.”
“Regardless of differences with some countries in the region we're ready to work at any level to confront this plot against the Islamic community.”
—Jan. 28, 2020, in a statement
Hesameddin Ashena (adviser to President Hassan Rouhani)
“This is a deal between the Zionist regime (Israel) and America. Interaction with Palestinians is not on its agenda. This is not a peace plan but a plan of imposition and sanctions. The United States unilaterally ignores many U.N. Security Council resolutions. Awaiting another intifada.”
—Jan. 28, 2020, in a tweet