Zarif Under Fire

No one could say that Mohammad Javad Zarif, President Hasssan Rouhani's nominee for Minister of Foreign Affairs, sailed his way through the confirmation hearing parliament held yesterday. Hardline MPs who consider diplomacy a parlor game for wimps grilled him over everything from a “Western attitude” in foreign policy to his failure to use the correct term for the Arab Spring uprisings (it should be “Islamic Awakening,” in case you were wondering). But Zarif, easily the country's most seasoned and distinguished diplomat, sought to allay fears that he would compromise Iran's national interests in the course of mending its ties with the world. Though the hearing was intense and at times acrimonious, Zarif dominated throughout, fending off his opponents with precise, elegant rebuttals and a command of modern politics that few in the room could even follow, let alone aspire to. The consensus is that he performed very well indeed, even better than expected, and that he successfully used the hearing to jump-start his tenure as foreign minister, establishing himself as a diplomat intent on solving Iran's troubles, above the factional fray.

We've put together here a six point overview of the hearing and Zarif's address to parliament, for those interested in more textured insights into what was said, and interestingly, not said. 

1. The Speech: The MPs levelled accusation after accusation, but Zarif responded with coherent, reasoned arguments, making special effort to use the language of diplomacy. His sophisticated phraseology, which leaned on his academic knowledge of statecraft, ended up making its own point. While some hardline MPs seemed to find his complex language difficult to grasp, others were impressed and were actually brought around by his rhetorical command. Zarif employed Koranic and poetic phrases and concepts in challenging his opponents' arguments, reflecting his deep knowledge of both Islamic religious tenets and Persian literature. The performance was virtuoso enough that Ali Larijani, the Speaker of Parliament, mentioned the power of Zarif's presentation at the close of his remarks.

2. Moderation: The key theme Zarif addressed throughout his address was moderation, and the need for unity in the diplomatic policy making process. He said that Iran must speak to the world in one voice, and warned that “no government can forge ahead in these turbulent times with more than one foreign policy.” He said he would avoid “expensive rhetoric” and instead address the world with “persuasive language and wise, sober behavior,” focusing on the substance of Iran's strategic concerns. He described this era as “the transitional era” and stressed that in the present climate, where “Islamaphobia and anti-Iran stances” are on the rise, officials must focus on diplomacy to win Iran more friends.

3. Diplomatic But Still Tough:  Zarif spoke repeatedly about interacting with the world, but emphasized he would do so conditionally, “without inching from Iran's rights.” His remarks about Iran's nuclear rights seemed a hint that Iran will aim for the continuation of enrichment. Hardliners greeted this, along with a number of other statements, with warm enthusiasm. Zarif also sought to present himself as close and obedient to the Supreme Leader, referring to the rights of the Iranian people based on the ideals of “respect, wisdom and interest,” a triptych Khamenei has referred to repeatedly in the past when discussing foreign policy. He spoke at some length about his sound relationship with Khamenei, and how his past work has always met with the Supreme Leader's approval.

4. The Neighborhood: Regional cooperation, Zarif said, would be a key policy objectives, and he described Iran as an “anchor of stability, security and calm” in a region troubled by the growth of “radicalism, insecurity, and instability.” As a regional power that also has a prominent role in the world, he said Iran could serve as an important model in a region rife with sectarian tension. Working together with countries of the region would help ease the threats the Middle East is facing, he argued.

5. The Defense: In responding to the various charges levelled against him, Zarif invoked his academic and professional accomplishments. He said officials should be proud that Henry Kissinger referred to him, a son of the revolution, as an “enemy worthy of respect.” He rejected the MP who had called his think “100 percent Western” and denied that he had ever sought an American greencard. Zarif underscored the fact that he has remained in Iran in recent years, despite having received numerous offers of teaching positions at prestigious Western universities. He defended his meetings with officials and individuals close to the American government, noting that these were carried out in the course of his duties representing Iran and with the full knowledge and support of Iran's leadership. As an aside, he mentioned that anti-Iran media outlets are none too pleased at his nomination.

6. The Silence: When it became clear the questioning was not intended to illicit information or perspective, rather to show just how much some hardliners disliked him, Zarif did not engage. They asked about a stolen briefcase which purportedly contained evidence that he had brokered meetings between Ahmadinejad and an Iranian-American academic, and between former president Mohammad Khatami and George Soros. He was accused of being in touch with Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi, and for belonging to the “New Yorkers,” the cadre of Iranian diplomats hardliners believe are in cahoots with the West. They demanded to know why he did not call the Arab Spring an “Islamic Awakening,” why he had failed to voice support for Syria, Lebanon and Palestine, and been silent over a territorial dispute with the United Arab Emirates and war compensation from Iraq.

What hardliners in parliament didn't ask, at least explicitly, was why Zarif made such scant use of the term “enemy,” the ossified phrase that Islamic Republic officials still employ when discussing their nation's place in the world. But much confounded expectations during the Zarif hearing. He did not make many direct references to the nuclear program or sanctions, avoiding the heated talk that dominated the presidential debates. Instead, with great subtlety, he said that Iran faced several challenges in the world and that with domestic unity those must be resolved. A simple message for turbulent times.