In a Washington Post op-ed, President Hassan Rouhani urged world leaders to take advantage of his call for constructive dialogue. He pledged a sincere effort to secure “win-win solutions” to disputes with other nations. Rouhani argued that international politics is no longer a “zero-sum game” and that cooperation and competition often occur simultaneously. The op-ed is the latest in a flurry of public diplomacy efforts ahead of Rouhani’s United Nations debut scheduled for September 24.
On Tehran’s controversial nuclear program, Rouhani explained that generating nuclear power is about Iran’s dignity and demand for respect, not just diversifying its energy resources. “Without comprehending the role of identity, many issues we all face will remain unresolved,” he warned.
On Syria, Rouhani reiterated Iran’s opposition to use of chemical weapons without blaming the Syrian government or rebels. He also stressed that Tehran is ready to help facilitate dialogue between Damascus and the opposition.
Rouhani’s op-ed is his second outreach effort specifically directed at the American public after his recent NBC interview. His office widely promoted both the interview and op-ed on social media. The following are excerpts from the op-ed with tweets of Rouhani’s key points.
“In a world where global politics is no longer a zero-sum game, it is — or should be — counterintuitive to pursue one’s interests without considering the interests of others.
A constructive approach to diplomacy doesn’t mean relinquishing one’s rights. It means engaging with one’s counterparts, on the basis of equal footing and mutual respect, to address shared concerns and achieve shared objectives.
“The unilateral approach, which glorifies brute force and breeds violence, is clearly incapable of solving issues we all face, such as terrorism and extremism.
“My approach to foreign policy seeks to resolve these issues by addressing their underlying causes. We must work together to end the unhealthy rivalries and interferences that fuel violence and drive us apart. We must also pay attention to the issue of identity as a key driver of tension in, and beyond, the Middle East.
“At their core, the vicious battles in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria are over the nature of those countries’ identities and their consequent roles in our region and the world. The centrality of identity extends to the case of our peaceful nuclear energy program.
“Sadly, unilateralism often continues to overshadow constructive approaches. Security is pursued at the expense of the insecurity of others, with disastrous consequences. More than a decade and two wars after 9/11, al-Qaeda and other militant extremists continue to wreak havoc