Alwaght- In the complicated and crisis-hit West Asia situation, the Iranian capital hosted Tehran Dialogue Forum (TDF) starting on Sunday, an even attended by prominent Iranian and foreign figures at the Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS). In this important meeting, representatives of over 50 countries gathered to discuss regional and international challenges and propose effective solutions for them. It is held for two days and the dialogue revolves around such issues as regional stability, human rights, and the role of diplomacy in settling the disputes.
Like other regional and international dialogue platforms, the main aim of the TDF is to prepare the ground for diplomacy and exchange of views by the international officials and thinkers. Meanwhile, Iran, as the initiator and host of this event, is trying to show itself as a responsible and leading actor in international peace and stability and to create a space for consensus and explanation of a new regional and global order based on a fair, anti-hegemonic perspective and the free will of nations and non-submission to the bullying of trans-regional powers, a perspective that has caused the TDF to exhibit a different appearance from other similar platforms and thus attract the attention of independent thinkers and politicians and governments of the Global South.
In 40 specialized panels, the forum examines topics such as the new regional order, resistance, alternative structures in the international system, and the future of the Palestinian crisis. The positions put forward by Iranian officials and prominent foreign figures showed that political convergence and moving towards economic integration of the countries of the region, in addition to its benefits in expanding the prosperity and progress of these countries, will also provide synergy in confronting challenges and crises and promoting peace and stability.
The Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at his opening speech highlighted respect for human rights, adding: "If human rights are respected, there will be no reason for war, crime and aggression. We want to help each other to create a region full of peace and tranquility. Let's join hands and enjoy life in the region, even though the enemy does not want this to happen."
Active and global diplomacy neutralizing the policy of isolating Iran
One of the important dimensions and messages of the Tehran summit is its coincidence with Donald Trump’s visit to the Persian Gulf countries and his anti-Iranian plans during this tour. He tried to justify the US's destabilizing policies in the region, especially in its full-scale support for the Israeli regime’s warmongering, under the guise of accusing Iran, but the TDF quickly proved the falsehood of these claims. The presence of foreign ministers, diplomats, intellectuals, and elites from more than 50 countries in Tehran indicates that the image of Iran among many global actors is far from what is reflected in Western media propaganda. And the international community recognizes Iran not as a threat, but as a “bastion of stability” and a platform for discourse in the region.
In this connection, West Asia affairs expert Hassan Hanizadeh in an interview with Alwaght commented on Tehran event that is being held immediately after Trump's Persian Gulf tour, describing the event "important."
"The substantial reception of this summit shows that Iran is not an isolated country and has always maintained its position and is at a high level of global acceptance. To this end, this large presence and statements made regarding Iran's position and role in the global discourse can elevate Iran to a higher level in confronting global bullying powers," he said.
On the other hand, while the American diplomacy showed itself with sales of billions of dollars in weapons to the Arab countries that can only stir further arms races and instability in the region, Iran by arranging the TDF showed it follows a different path characterized by boosting regional diplomacy, dialogue between the nations, and cooperation to ensure collective security.
Iranian officials have repeatedly asserted that the time has come for the US to end its military presence in the region and leave protection of security to regional countries, and Iran is trying to play a more constructive role with initiatives like this forum and establish a regional order independent of trans-regional powers in cooperation with neighboring countries.
Pointing out that the dialogue forum can play an important role in changing public opinion towards Iran’s policies, Hanizadeh maintained: “This dialogue forum is a sign of the will of the Iranian government and people to engage in dialogue with countries in the region and the world based on preserving Islamic and national values. Given the existence of dozens of anti-Iranian satellite networks in the world that have been constantly engaged in extensive media attacks against Tehran in recent years, efforts are being made to change this situation and create a set of international discourses to confront this toxic anti-Tehran propaganda. Therefore, the reception given to this forum shows that Iran is very serious about interacting with the international community and confronting media propaganda, and this issue could reduce the regional influence of the Israeli regime in the region."
Through the words of Iranian president, foreign minister, and the foreign guests we can understand that Iran is redefining its role in the new world order. Iran's active multi-layer diplomacy combined with its Axis of Resistance policy and approach has made Tehran, while being a target of "maximum pressure" campaign and sanctions, to become a center of dialogue, initiatives, and stability in the region.
In this context, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi emphasized that regaining the initiative in the region does not simply mean changing the balance of power, but rather a transformation in the intellectual and perceptual foundations that legitimize the existing order, adding: "Let us not allow the future of our region to be shaped in the think tanks of trans-regional powers, and the countries of the region must be the architects of the future order."
Iran will not pend negotiations with the US
Tehran summit is being held in a situation where indirect talks between Iran and the US began weeks ago and several rounds of these talks have already been held.
However, while the Islamic Republic has entered these talks very seriously and with a clear and constructive policy, the other side is moving the talks away from the agreement by adopting contradictory positions, raising excessive issues, and occasional military threats.
In these circumstances, in addition to responding to Trump's military threats by demonstrating its level of defense readiness and promising reciprocal threats against American interests and bases, Iran is also sending a message in the political and diplomatic sphere by arranging the TDF, asserting that Tehran is not waiting for negotiations and the lifting of sanctions, and has focused its main strength on using its capacities for cooperation with other countries in the world, especially improving economic relations with its neighbors.
Bearing the capacity to transform into an international platform
Considerable reception of the TDF promises an outlook of it transforming into a lasting platform with influence on international peace and stability.
Commenting on the capacity of the TDF to transform into an international dialogue forum, Hanizadeh said that Iran can become the center of global dialogue. Given the high cultural, social, political capacity and influence in various, especially Muslim, countries, this forum can represent a progressing cultural movement to create unity, consensus, and interaction among countries. So, forming a permanent secretariat in Tehran to facilitate periodical dialogue between Iran and the world community can set up a sustainable approach for interaction with the international system.
In general, arranging the TDF attended by representatives from dozens of countries sends a clear message to the world that Iran is not isolated and its regional diplomacy is even more active than before. This meeting, in contrast to the West's interventionist policies, is attempting to establish stability through dialogue and regional cooperation and to consolidate Iran's position in the new world order.
The TDF as an Iranian diplomatic initiative is a domestic model of managing regional crises and enhancing convergent dialogue among regional countries. Insisting on endogenous solutions, the forum is designed to promote cooperation and de-escalate tensions without intervention of trans-regional powers.
