Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s Vice-President for Strategic Affairs and a well-known figure in international diplomacy, has called on Donald Trump to consider renewing talks with Tehran on its nuclear programme. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Zarif urged the returning US President to adopt a “more serious, more focused, and more realistic” approach in future negotiations, contrasting with his previous administration’s strategy.
Zarif’s remarks come as the region continues to grapple with the fallout of Trump’s decision in 2018 to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal. The move, strongly influenced by figures such as Mike Pompeo and John Bolton, was premised on the belief that exiting the agreement would destabilise Iran’s government. However, Zarif pointed out that the withdrawal had instead brought Iran closer to developing nuclear capabilities, with stockpiles of highly enriched uranium nearing weapons-grade levels.
While Zarif maintained that Iran has no interest in constructing a nuclear weapon, he stressed that the ongoing sanctions imposed by the United States were disproportionately affecting the nation’s most vulnerable citizens. “If we wanted to build a nuclear weapon, we could have done so a long time ago,” he stated.
Signals of change in Iranian society
Zarif also highlighted signs of liberalisation within Iran, noting that women were increasingly seen in public without wearing the hijab. He described this as a step forward, although he acknowledged that more progress was necessary. Critics within Iran, however, were quick to challenge Zarif, accusing him of downplaying the harassment many women continue to face and the sacrifices made by those pushing for greater freedoms during the protests of recent years.
Continuing regional tensions
Despite Zarif’s conciliatory tone regarding the nuclear deal, he gave no indication that Iran would cease its support for regional groups classified as terrorist organisations by the US, such as Hamas. He asserted that Iran’s backing of these groups was rooted in support for “the struggle of people for their human rights and self-determination” rather than an intent to interfere. Zarif also referenced Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 2023, claiming it disrupted planned discussions with US officials on the JCPOA renewal.
The original nuclear agreement, signed in 2015, aimed to restrict Iran’s nuclear capabilities to civilian energy production, with strict oversight by UN inspectors. Trump’s 2018 decision to abandon the deal not only led to severe sanctions but also left the agreement’s future in limbo. With key provisions set to expire in October, the urgency to address Iran’s nuclear programme is mounting.
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Challenges to renewed negotiations
In recent weeks, talks facilitated by EU negotiators in Geneva have explored potential pathways to a new agreement. However, significant obstacles remain. Iran is demanding assurances that the US will not withdraw from any future deal, a guarantee that may prove difficult to secure.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the divisions within Iran over the prospect of renewing the JCPOA. While some voices in Tehran see the lifting of sanctions as essential, others remain sceptical about engaging with Washington. Meanwhile, reports of Iran accelerating uranium enrichment to alarming levels have intensified concerns. The head of the UN’s nuclear weapons inspectorate, Rafael Grossi, stated that Iran has significantly increased its production of uranium enriched to 60%, amassing over 200 kilograms.
Regional perspectives
The prospect of military conflict between Iran and Israel has drawn strong reactions from Gulf states. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, speaking in Davos, urged Iran to re-engage diplomatically. “A war between Iran and Israel, or any war in our region, is something we must strive to avoid,” he said. Similarly, Qatar’s Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, called for peaceful resolution and warned against an arms race in the Middle East.
A fragile path forward
Zarif’s remarks underscored the complexity of navigating a new nuclear agreement amidst regional tensions and international scepticism. Whether Trump’s second administration will heed Zarif’s call for a more pragmatic approach remains uncertain, as divisions persist both within Iran and among its neighbours.
As the clock ticks on the JCPOA’s expiring provisions, the stakes are higher than ever for a resolution that could reshape the dynamics of the Middle East and global security.
