Seyed Majid Tafreshi, who was appointed ambassador to Portugal in April, arrived in the country in July and eventually presented his credentials to “President Sousa,” as he calls Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, in September. Tafreshi has the same academic education as the Portuguese head of state – both have PhDs in law, the Iranian in international law. The diplomat, who hails from New Zealand, says in his new role that his main goal is to develop economic relations between the two countries and, in the name of economic cooperation, ensure that bureaucracies are addressed as quickly as possible. It also highlights the fact that most of the 2,000 Iranians living in Portugal are students, many at PhD level. The ambition to make a difference is clear: “I want Portugal to become the foundation of our relationship with the European Union.”
A few days ago, activist Narges Mohammadi, who served a ten-year prison sentence, received the Nobel Peace Prize, twenty years ago another woman, Shirin Ebadi, received the same prize. How can the regime meet the demands of the youth without resorting to repression? What is the role of women in Iran’s future?
First of all, regime is not a nice word, say government. Look, I respect all Iranian citizens. First, we don’t see any response from Nobel laureates, Obama and others to the Palestine problem. How can a lady be in prison and correspond with the international community every day? She [Mohammadi] has access to the internet, has access to the free world. Then show me a Peace Prize from someone who tried to create something in the EU. It seems everything in the EU is great. As for the ladies, what they did is against the law. If we are going to talk about Iranian ladies, look at how many medals they won at the Asian Games last week. The literacy rate of women before the 1979 revolution was 30/35%, now it is 90/95%. And 60% of college students are women. How can you accuse a country of hindering the development of women and investing so much in their education? Of course, some issues are related to traditions. Some women want to be housewives, but we can’t tell them to go to work. Those who support these women [ativistas] they introduce illegal sanctions against the country. These sanctions punish the entire population without discrimination. Of course people have the right to speak. There are demonstrations every day. If you go to Iran, you will not find a single institution where women are denied entry. Of course, there are some restrictions when going swimming, due to Islamic values. As far as human rights are concerned, we do not have 25, but 25,000 NGOs.
Iran fought the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. However, Iran is a major sponsor of groups considered terrorist by the EU, the US and other countries, such as Hezbollah and Hamas. When carrying out an attack, like the one on the 7th, on Israeli civilians, including many celebrating peace at a festival, how is Hamas different from Islamic State?
The problem started 75 years ago and this identity crisis continues. We must speak on the basis of international law. Hezbollah has elected deputies to the Lebanese parliament. How can we censor him? It would be a slap in the face to hundreds of thousands of voters who recognize him and give their vote. About Hamas, this is what our leader says: that everyone who was forced to leave their country should return and vote. It is not good policy to label a person or a group as a terrorist because they defend themselves… I ask: can I occupy land and on the basis of self-defense I will not allow anyone who fights for land considered occupied to EU to do something and they are terrorists? We need to see which countries are the defense suppliers [de Israel]. They need excitement. Terrorism knows no borders. Recognizing a group as a terrorist and focusing solely on that issue is a failed policy. We have not been able to see any demonstrations against Hamas in Gaza. Israel says it will wipe out Hamas. According to the Geneva Convention and Additional Protocols, such a right does not exist because it concerns a group and a state. By saying it will wipe out Hamas, Israel will wipe out the people of Gaza. Hamas is Gaza, Hamas is Palestine. Proportionality is very important. How will we be good neighbors? Why is there a need for an atomic bomb? Why not join the countries that have signed a pact in favor of a Middle East without nuclear weapons, as Iran has done?
Tehran left open the possibility that the conflict in the region would expand if the Israeli land offensive on Gaza materializes. Could Iran, despite US warnings, enter the war directly?
Iranian policy has always been aimed at peace and stability. Iran always pursues a defensive policy. Others must be asked: will they increase the tension? Will they cause new wars in the Middle East? There was a positive development in the region, Iran and Saudi Arabia restored bilateral relations. What we are looking for in the Middle East is peace and security under any formula. Israelis must understand that they have no choice but to recognize Palestine, to recognize the nation, and that the abuse of power cannot continue.
He said he is in favor of any peace formula. Will it allow Iran to recognize Israel in exchange for Palestine becoming a country?
To recognize Israel we have a long line in front of us. We are very clear that the recognition of the international community depends on the recognition of the Palestinians. If the Palestinians want to give away their land, that’s their business. But we cannot speak for the Palestinians. The best peace formula is one in which refugees return and participate in a vote, a vote that is not exclusive. It is the best policy to acknowledge each other. Unlike the barbaric actions we have seen, where people are forced to leave their countries.
As you said, Iran and Saudi Arabia are resuming relations. Do you believe that this crisis can somehow affect this progress?
Our relationship with Saudi Arabia is very important. They are like two wings of the same bird in the Middle East, two of the most powerful countries in the region. We believe we can have a better future for our next generation and for the region’s economy. We want to get rid of external actors.
Several countries, including Ukraine, accuse Iran of supplying drones to Russia, which are used in attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and civilians. To what extent is Iran’s international image damaged?
Iran and Russia maintain ties of friendship and military cooperation on the basis of international law. They are exaggerating, some drones have been sent by our ministry much earlier. Why does a superpower like Russia need a few drones? Europeans must remember what Iraq was. Why do they need an ever-expanding military alliance? Putin said many years ago that Russia will be with the EU, not within the EU. This is clear. The topic is irrelevant. We do not recognize occupied territories. How can they accuse us and then get the votes we had in the UN General Assembly? Back to NATO’s miscalculation and its consequences. Which non-EU NATO country has benefited most from these stories?
Source: DN
