Editorial by French Foreign Minister in Iranian State Newspaper: Iran's Role in a Safer World

The French Foreign Minister wrote in the editorial of the Iranian state newspaper on Tuesday, August 6, that the Vienna nuclear agreement has created "specific responsibilities" for Iran and Western parties, and that Iran, as an "influential country, can play a positive role in addressing the crises and disasters" in the Middle East. Laurent Fabius emphasized in his note: "We want to act for a safer world, and it is essential that Iran plays its full part in this world. This is the message I will take to Tehran." Laurent Fabius is visiting Tehran this week for official talks with senior officials of the Islamic Republic, making him the first French foreign minister to visit Tehran in 12 years. In his editorial, Fabius stated that he would also discuss issues related to "peace and security in the Middle East" with Iranian officials. He stressed that Iran, as an "influential" country, can play a "positive role" in facing these "crises and disasters." The French Foreign Minister added: "The agreement we have reached has created specific responsibilities for Iran and for us." A day before Fabius's note, Ali Ahani, the Iranian ambassador to France, described the fight against the Islamic State (formerly ISIS) as "one of the common interests" between Iran and France, stating that this would be discussed during Fabius's visit. However, Iran was not invited to a conference held in Paris on September 15, 2014, to discuss how to combat the Islamic State, which included leaders and senior officials from many countries. Nevertheless, following the Vienna nuclear agreement, some Iranian officials have expressed readiness to negotiate regional issues. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated on Sunday, August 4, that following the nuclear agreement, "we are capable of resolving other issues in the region and the world at the negotiating table." Two days before Rouhani's remarks, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry stated at the Council on Foreign Relations that Rouhani and Mohammad Javad Zarif had "clearly stated" that, given the nuclear agreement, they were ready to negotiate regional issues. However, Zarif responded to Kerry by saying that the Islamic Republic's actions in the region and Iran's support for its "regional allies" in the fight against the Islamic State have "no connection" to the nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+1. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, also stated on Saturday, July 18, that the Islamic Republic would not negotiate with the U.S. on "various global," "bilateral," and "regional" issues. However, Khamenei did not declare a prohibition on dialogue with European countries regarding regional issues. In his editorial on Tuesday, the French Foreign Minister described the Vienna nuclear agreement as a "turning point" and emphasized that it is essential for each party to fulfill its commitments according to the agreed timetable. Fabius wrote that "new prospects" have opened up for both countries, and the way is clear for resuming and continuing bilateral dialogue. He stressed that France has maintained a relationship with Iran based on "respect and candor" even when "approaches were different." Fabius had previously stated that France's tough stance in nuclear negotiations would not negatively impact the expansion of economic relations with Iran in the post-sanctions period. However, in recent days, media and several conservative figures have protested Fabius's visit, with Reza Taqavi, head of the Council for the Policy-Making of Friday Prayer Leaders, calling him a "Zionist." Meanwhile, some media close to the conservative faction have accused the French official, who was Prime Minister 30 years ago, of being the main culprit in the "export of contaminated blood to Iran" and have labeled him as the "smiling killer" and "killer of Iranians." In response to these remarks, Hassan Qazizadeh Hashemi, the Minister of Health, described the issue of "exporting contaminated blood" ahead of this visit as "political" and contrary to the "interests of the country and the leader's statements."