Fereydoun Majlessi: The West, the Arab countries and China are against war in the Middle East

Fereydoun Majlessi: The West, the Arab countries and China are against war in the Middle East

Fereydoun Majlessi (source: Fereydoun Majlessi)

Fereydoun Majlessi, a former diplomat, in an interview with Setareh Sobh: America can force Israel to form an independent Palestinian state. Iranian-American negotiations in Oman continue and can give birth to new hopes

Setareh Sobh, Faezeh Sadr, 16 April 2024

The Persian Bridge of Friendship: On the night of 13/14 April 2024 the Islamic Republic of Iran attacked Israel with more than 350 drones and missiles. 99% of them were taken down by the anti-air defense of Israel and its allies from the West and in the Middle East. On the occassion of that attack Iranian representatives claimed that they are not interested to escalate the conflict with Israel additionally and consider the case of the retaliation for the alleged Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria, which caused high-ranking military casualties, closed. In its turn, Israeli representatives declared that Israel would respond to this attack, but will decide when and how. 

In this context on 16 April 2024 the Iranian reformist newspaper “Setareh Sobh” (Morning Star) interviewed the Iranian foreign policy analyst Fereydoun Majlessi. Majlessi commented that the interests of China and the Arab countries are not to spread the war. In his viewe, the interests of Europe require the same. He also advised that even if the dimensions of the war have not increased, Iran should also act according to its national interests.

Setareh Sobh, Faezeh Sadr: There are two different views on Iran’s attack on Israel. Some say this was a full-scale attack and some say that it was a pinpoint war. Israel also claimed that Iran’s attack was harmless. Meanwhile, the role of America is significant. While condemning this attack, White House officials warned their regional ally Israel that they will not participate in a military attack on Iran in the event of a war between Iran and Israel. 

There are different interpretations of Iran’s attack on Israel. Which narration is valid?

In war and military operations, there is a space of ambiguity and censorship, and both sides of the war deny the blows inflicted on them, and exaggerate the blow they inflicted on the enemy. This space is temporary and will expire.

Iran’s military commanders have considered the operation to be over and it was said that what was necessary for revenge has been done. These statements return the problem to the situation it was before. This means that the war with Israel will be within the limits of Lebanon’s Hezbollah and other resistance groups.

Because some of the rock launches were from the Lebanese Hezbollah, the attacks on Rafah will be resumed and the bases that were in Syria will again witness conflicts as before. I think that taking into consideration the announcements issued in Iran and the declaration that the work of revenge is over, the pursuit of tension on the part of Iran will be ruled out.

What is the American game in this field? Will the United States continue to play a supporting role for Israel, or will they avoid playing a role in the war between Israel and Iran, as the White House officials say?
America is not only a political supporter of Israel. It is also a military supporter. And it plays its role and contribution in all-round support for Israel, both in terms of logistics and in terms of cooperation in countering the attack that occurred.
In this attack, America had the necessary cooperation to monitor threats, confront and deal with threats. But the interests of the United States require that this conflict be ended and not lead to a large-scale war.
The interests of China also require this, and the interests of the Arab countries are also in the non-expansion of war. The interests of Europe require the same. Even if the dimensions of the war have not increased, Iran should also act according to its national interests. America’s view of the tension in the Middle East will rule out a direct confrontation with Iran. Even if Iran considers Israel as a deviant entity, this entity will fight for its survival in critical conditions. Israel wants to maintain its existence, so it will continue its work and confrontation with Iran.

It should be hoped that after all these losses, at least within the framework of UN Resolution 242, an agreement will be reached with the two independent states of Palestine and Israel, and Israel will accept the return to the borders accepted before the 1967 war, which is the definitive solution to resolve the tension with the Palestinians. Israel must remove its settlements from the West Bank and allow peace to be established so that they too can enjoy its effects.

In your opinion, should we still be worried about the expansion of the war, or can Iran’s operation against Israel end the fear of the Iran-Israel war in the region?

In my opinion, this operation and the way it was dealt with is an immediate end to the danger of war. Apparently, negotiations between Iran and the United States are continuing in Muscat, Oman. We know that America is the guardian of Israel.

These negotiations can give rise to new hopes. In case of negotiations and an agreement between Iran and America, Israel has to stop killing and building illegal settlements and evacuate the built settlements. With the wealth that the Arab countries have, they can use these settlements for the main people of that land, the Palestinians, and the Israelis can return to their own borders.

Today, there is hope that this war will leave these losses and casualties in a positive way. Every tension will end one day. The worst ending would be if both sides are waiting for the other side to raise the white flag, which will lead to a major disaster.

If we do not accept the role of mediators and negotiations with America, it will be a great regret, but I still believe that this time the conflict between Iran and Israel, and in fact, the conflict between Iran and the western supporters of Israel, will go towards a moderate end.

Photo: The olive tree is a symbol of peace and a symbol of Palestine (source: Pixabay, CC0)

Follow the channel of the blog “The Persian Bridge of Friendship” in YouTube! The blog can also be followed in Facebook and Twitter. Here is its Telegram channel.

Leave a comment