Interview with the Al-Alam News channel, Iran’s former ambassador to China, Mehdi Safari, revealed his thoughts and important details about the comprehensive 25-year historic agreement currently being finalised between Iran and China.
From: http://middleeastobserver.net/irans-fmr-beijing-envoy-on-comprehensive-25-year-long-deal-with-china/
Description:
In an in-depth interview with the Al-Alam News channel, Iran’s former ambassador to China, Mehdi Safari, revealed his thoughts and important details about the comprehensive 25-year historic agreement currently being finalised between Iran and China.
Al-Alam News
Transcript:
Interviewer:
What is the nature of the policy pursued by Tehran with regards to the East, and is it related to the current situation in Iran?
Safari:
Look. To answer your question, I would say, after the success of the Islamic Revolution, the motto of the (foreign) policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran was “Neither East, nor West”. However, the Islamic Republic had and still has diplomatic relations with all states except Israel and America, which we consider to be our enemies; or if we felt that a side is showing hostile behavior (towards Iran).
You used the slogan “Neither East, nor West”. The part “Neither East” existed when the Soviet Union was still a part of the global system and had its own policies, but after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation changed its policies. You also saw how our relations with our neighboring countries in the north have developed and become stronger.
First of all, China is neither western nor eastern, as it is located in east Asia. Well, this applies to Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and India. All of these countries are located in East Asia. We had and will always foster diplomatic relations with the aforementioned countries. Therefore, our policy did not change. All the relationships that existed between us and these countries were mutual and equal. But why did this desire for a relationship with China rise to the surface and why did this relationship become strategic? I would like to give you a clarification. To start with, this relationship is needed by both China and us. After the Americans began to besiege China from the east… If you go back in memory, you would remember the issue of the three islands that were the subject of a dispute between China and Japan. Americans wanted to create a disputed area. Then, after the South China Sea issue (the disputed islands), another issue came up with Vietnam and the Philippines regarding Chinese oil reserves. The Chinese also felt that Obama had revived their closed base in northern Australia. They also felt that if they do not find another path across the sea, they might encounter problems that they don’t have the time to deal with, especially with their current trade situation, and the energy-related crisis in general.
Well, China brought up Mr. XI Jinping’s idea about the west, the west of the country, and revived the principle of “One Belt, One Road”, i.e. the Silk Road. In other words, it is turning towards the East. China could have started (its project) from three routes: (1) through Russia to northern Europe, (2) through the Islamic Republic of Iran towards the central and southern European states, or (3) crossing the ocean to head to the continent of Africa.
China launched this project (for many reasons). (First,) in the past, this country used to import only one million barrels of oil in the past. Six years ago, it imported five million barrels. While today, it imports 11, 500, 000 barrels of oil, 5, 500, 000 barrels of which passes through the Persian Gulf. Well, now let us see. Which country has 2, 200 kilometers of maritime borders? The Islamic Republic of Iran. Which country has oil and gas here (in this region)? The Islamic Republic of Iran also. This is the main factor that enables us (Iran) to become China ‘s strategic partner. From the Chinese perspective, energy security is more important than the provision of energy. If energy provision is important, energy security is even more important. Well, who can provide all of these (services)? In this region, we are the ones who can do that.
Second, China is the world’s top trader, to say the least. I personally believe that China enjoys the world’s number one economy. The reason (for this success) is that Americans, who say “we are number one”, print $600 billion or $700 billion four or five times a year and inject them in the market. Now, China wants to guarantee the security of its trading operations in our region, in the Indian Ocean and in the Gulf of Oman. It sees that the Islamic Republic of Iran is the only country fighting terrorism (ISIS) and drug trafficking. So what have these factors succeeded to achieve? It made our country a strategic partner of China.
Interviewer:
Did this policy come after you (Iranians) lost hope in the West? And how is it consistent with the policy of “Neither East, nor West”?
Safari:
First of all, our relationship with China did not begin recently. We have enjoyed strong relations and ties with this country for many years. However, it is a well-known fact that today’s China is significantly different from the China of 10 or 20 years ago. Today’s China is completely different in terms of technology, trade, its construction of power stations, etc. So we can see that China can fulfill our needs. Instead of turning towards Europe and America that are imposing limitations and restrictions on us, we can now get our needs (from China). And when I say now, this does not mean just today. This project was launched 15 or 20 years ago. Take a close look. The Chinese have been working hard and actively in Iran for 20 years. Check the number of dams, power stations, steel plants, mines and petrochemicals (built in Iran by China). Therefore, this relationship did not begin yesterday nor today.
Perhaps China’s political view of the West and America has changed during the past five or six years. Now, it is turning more towards us, to its west – as I’ve mentioned before. The need of the two parties (for this relationship) became bilateral and mutual, which led to setting up a cooperation project that would last for 25 years. Therefore, I can say that this matter (the cooperation) is not related to recent developments. China has been importing our oil for years. We have also been exchanging economic cooperation, finance, and projects in various fields. Why is this subject being discussed now? Regarding our view of the West or East, if we take a look at the comprehensive partnership project with China, we will find that it paves the way for relations with most European states – with Austria, Germany, France, Romania, the former Yugoslavia, or even Sweden – in addition to our neighboring states. I honestly do not know the reason for this great sensitivity over our cooperation with China. Go and take a look at our cooperation and agreements with Austria and Germany. All of these (cooperation) offers were raised in the various specialized joint committees. Therefore, these steps are not new. The motto of the (foreign) policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, “Neither East, nor West”, hasn’t changed. Our view of the former Soviet Union or the West is still the same. However, when the Soviet Union changed its policies and came to the negotiating table, we came to a balanced agreement and started dealing with the Union.
Interviewer:
Does China’s historic anti-colonial policy play a role in Tehran’s decision to turn to the East?
Safari:
Of course. If you noticed, China never had any conflicts with us, nor did it wage any wars against us. There were no border skirmishes or disputes between us. China is a very rich country in terms of culture, and as you mentioned, it is not opportunistic. These factors were important in (our choice) to deal with China. On the other hand, this country (China) had some needs that led it to turn towards our country. Therefore, these needs from both sides were complementary, which led to the crystallization of this comprehensive partnership.
Interviewer:
Do you feel like you were obliged to turn to China, or is this plan a part of Iran’s foreign policy in general?
Safari:
No, I personally think that this is a real strategy that we have been following for almost 20 years. Today, the cooperation project has reached a state of maturity. This project was brought up six years ago during the visit of Mr. Xi Jinping to Iran, but there was a delay from our end. Now I say that this project shouldn’t be delayed any further. We have to begin this project sooner rather than later.
At the time, we were in the midst of talks with the West, and this was, in my opinion, the reason for the delay in the comprehensive partnership project with China. We had this strategy before us 20 or 25 years ago, and we have been engaging in all kinds of cooperation with China. However, the conditions China is living under led it to conclude and sign such an agreement with us. Of course, as I’ve mentioned earlier, when it (China) was turning to the West (for cooperation), it did not sign (any agreements) with us. It rather signed (agreements) with Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman, Russia, and other countries, because of the reasons I explained earlier. However, the circumstances surrounding China have changed, due to its trade, economic and political differences with America and the West in general.
Interviewer:
Can you tell us more about this agreement (with China)?
Safari:
This comprehensive partnership includes an energy component. This energy component is divided into two subsections: (1) oil and gas, and (2) the construction of power stations and the use of renewable energy. In the energy component, China pledged to buy our oil for 25 years. And (in return) what do we guarantee for 25 years? To sell our oil to them. China also showed its intention to invest in and provide the necessary financing for our refineries and petrochemical plants, and we too would like this (financing) idea to be put into effect, especially on our coastlines which we use for exportation. With regards to energy and the construction of power plants, there is a willingness by both sides to build power stations in various regions jointly (in terms of financing) as it is considered a part of Iran’s infrastructure.
There is also a section regarding investment in renewable energy. Here, I would like to give an example with regards to solar (power) systems, or solar energy plants. As you know this has two implications. On the one hand, the situation of us here in the Islamic Republic of Iran is more favorable than China in this field. On the other hand, China is one of the highly developed countries and it occupies first place in renewable energies. Every year, it generates about 20 GW of these energies per day around the country. Moreover, the Islamic Republic of Iran is a very suitable place for such projects, (especially keeping in mind) the deserts (we have) and how such projects help (us) fight the problem of desertification in the country.
We would like for the Chinese to come and build solar cell (plants) in Iran, and to develop our power stations. Secondly, regarding electrical energy, you know that the Chinese also rank first in the world in (building) private and public vehicles such as buses. Therefore, we are thinking about starting joint work in this sector in Iran
There is also the subject of transportation, which includes roads and railways. Well if China actually wants to turn to the East and revive the Silk Road, then all the aforementioned is included in the project. China must prepare and start making high-speed trains for the transportation and transit of various goods through the Islamic Republic of Iran to the West, and from the North to the South and vice versa. In other words, (we are referring to) the transit of goods from Chabahar to Mashhad, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, and vice versa; and from Mashhad to Tabriz, Europe, and other states neighboring Iran. Therefore, transportation offers both parties an incentive to cooperate.
With regards to tourism, China has 250 million tourists (that travel) annually, while we have two million tourists. If every year, three million Chinese citizens came (to Iran) with their rich culture, and wandered in the country, we will witness an increase in job opportunities in the field of tourism and handicrafts. You must know that the Chinese love our handicrafts. If it happened that our handicrafts found their way into the Chinese market, i.e. one billion and four hundred million people, imagine if each one of them bought only a vase! When Coca-Cola went to China, and it should not have been allowed to go there, one of the company’s managers said “if each one of them (Chinese people) drank only one can, this would mean one billion and four hundred million cans!” Our handicrafts and carpets are extremely popular in China. We are looking to create job opportunities. If the Chinese were present in the tourism sector and worked to strengthen our infrastructure, we would succeed in attracting Chinese tourists. Once that is done, you would see the significant outcomes of this project.
Interviewer:
What does China want from this agreement?
Safari:
I have already told you about China’s interests, and the conditions the US put China under. The transit of China’s goods, and having access to raw materials, whether from Iran or from the south, in addition to the provision of energy and the maintenance of energy security, are both very important for China. Any disruption that might occur along the trade route, or any difficulty that might arise in the process of obtaining raw materials, can cause the country great problems.
I have told you that we were very late to sign this agreement. Because of this delay, China has gone its own way, and has concluded agreements and treaties with other countries. China reached Europe via Russia, Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Georgia and Azerbaijan. We took too long to establish this partnership. During my last interview I said frankly, we should have signed this joint cooperation agreement six years ago. China had many interests (in working with Iran). We were the ones who took too long (to sign). As for them (Chinese), they secured their interests through (agreements with) other countries.
Interviewer:
Is there any indication that Iran will grant China any concessions?
Safari:
We fought our neighboring country (Iraq) for eight years (to gain back) two inches of land. So do you believe we would give away our islands (to China)? Where was this news written? Who said that? It is these agents of the West who are creating such an atmosphere after they saw that they have failed to achieve their goals of undermining (the achievements) of the Islamic Republic. China came to invest in power stations, and the manufacture of cars and spare parts in these areas. Chabahar Port was mentioned (in the agreement) but for what? In order to transport goods. Kish and Qeshm Islands were mentioned as places for investment in power stations and construction. The news (about giving away our islands) are totally false and beyond belief.
Interviewer:
There are mixed opinions about this agreement with China. What do you have to say about that?
Safari:
Those who are against (this agreement) fell under the influence of (rumors that circulated) on cyberspace, and began to raise these false issues. They think that they can (break this agreement). If you have noticed, the US Secretary of State is against this agreement. (He said) “If this agreement is to be signed, we should not lift the sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran”. This (opposition) indicates that we (Iranians) are on the right track. He (Pompeo) said “for this reason (i.e. lifting the sanctions), we (Iranian) shouldn’t do that (i.e. cooperate with China).” He also says that we and Russia have worked together to kill people in Syria, while (in fact) they (Americans) were supporting ISIS. You (Americans) are claiming that Russia is a bad country, and it kills people. If so, then how do you team up with Russia at the United Nations to maintain sanctions and ensure they are not lifted? That is why it is clear that the West is behind this atmosphere (of opposition to the agreement). Western regimes are creating this atmosphere.
This also applies to reactionary states in the region. How do these reactionary states cooperate with China in the area of investment and give it their oil, but when it comes to the Islamic Republic they say that China should not work with us because (by doing that) it would be supporting terrorism, while we all know that (it is) these (very) states that support ISIS and terrorism in the region?! Therefore, in my opinion, this cooperation is beneficial to both sides. (Certain) foreign states know that such cooperation would help us overcome this impasse.
Interviewer:
Will we witness such an agreement with other states?
Safari:
Let me tell you something. I told other states that a text similar to the text (of this agreement) was presented in most joint committees (between us and these states). It would be interesting for you to know that there are some subjects (that were included in our agreement with China), but we avoided discussing with European states. However, we have signed similar agreements with most European and Asian states.
I hope that we sign the agreement (with China) and launch this project as soon as possible, which is in the interest of both countries. If we start this work (which covers the fields of) tourism, energy, environment, agriculture, health, pharmacy, road construction, and financing, then I promise you we will create more than three million jobs. If about one or three million Iranians got involved with handicrafts, their work will bring prosperity to tourism and handicrafts in our country. We are looking to create jobs. If we get the necessary finance, we will create enough jobs to push our economic wheel forward and begin exporting.
Interviewer:
Which states will oppose this agreement and how are Iran and China planning to face the upcoming obstacles – if there were any?
Safari:
I think that the countries who are against the agreement, and I mean America, Israel and the Arab states, have started to create a hostile environment (regarding this agreement) in cyberspace. I think, for the benefit of our country, we should ignore them. In order to address this issue, we must run these projects as soon as possible so that the Iranian people can witness the results, then these issues will be automatically resolved. Of course, in addition to this atmosphere (of opposition), the West may exert pressure on China to go back on this agreement, and this is an important point. Therefore, we have to further our interests, and implement this agreement in the areas that I’ve mentioned to you. This agreement, especially in (the section regarding) infrastructure projects, can be very beneficial to the Islamic Republic of Iran and to our dear (Iranian) people. Don’t forget my words. I don’t know if I’ve already mentioned this or not. Imam Khomeini (may God bless him and grant him peace), once said: “If Westerners praise you, know that you have made a mistake; and if they disparage you, know that you are on the right path, and continue what you have started.
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As shown in this article, recent developments clearly outline how the United States is threatened by China’s growing strength:
http://viableopposition.blogspot.com/2020/07/mike-pompeo-and-chinas-threat-to.html
Unfortunately, Washington seems incapable of realizing that the unipolar global world order is over.
@Sally Snyder: Trump has to demonize China and cut ties in order to force the US-Corporate out of China back home – that’s the plan – to force the US-Corporate to invest again back home, while keeping China out as much as possible. Whether it works out, we will soon see. He follows a viable nationalist plan. It will be very interesting to see how he will respond to the WEF summit this August and the ‘Great Reset Scam’ (or the largest theft ever envisaged) – there are very, very powerful forces behind it including domestic ones…..
This will also put the kibosh US hegemony, our attempt to maintain the dollar as the world’s reserve currency and to engage in punitive sanctions against any nation that doesn’t submit to the AngloZionist Empire. The world will eventually be united in the new Belt and Road Initiative, a trading block based on equality and mutual cooperation rather than exploitation and violence.
” The world will eventually be united in the new Belt and Road Initiative, a trading block based on equality and mutual cooperation rather than exploitation and violence. ”
Maybe you can explain, because no one else seems to be able to, but how are nations like, for example, Uganda, the Czech Republic, Moldova, or Paraguay supposed to be able to benefit equitably from this setup, while competing with a manufacturing behemoth like China ? Arent their economies going to be overwhelmed and destroyed by Chinese products, just like the US was ? What are they going to export to China besides raw materials ? Something seems off about the whole project.
Peter Koenig can explain it much better than I can…
https://www.globalresearch.ca/china-belt-road-initiative-bridge-spans-world/5695727
Thank you for the link, but it also fails to address my questions, and is only full of vacuous promises such as the following
” to construct a unified large market and make full use of both international and domestic markets, through cultural exchange and integration, to enhance mutual understanding and trust of member nations, ending up in an innovative pattern with capital inflows, talent pool, and technology database”. ”
Strangely, that quote sounds very similar to what globalists have been pushing this whole time. Dont forget how the EU started. It was only supposed to be a ” free market ” trading block. I’m not against China, but it must know everything I’m talking about and is setting the B&R network mainly for its own benefit. There is no nation on the planet right now that can compete directly with China in the production of goods and manufacturing output. How could there ever be balanced and equitable trade ?
Also, based on China’s past behavior, if allowed, China will move in buy important manufacturing, business, and agricultural industries, and then ship in Chinese workers to the host nation.. This has happened many times already. China has billions of people, they can afford to ship millions overseas. Its not debatable that these Chinese will always be loyal to their homeland and will keep their culture, language, and will not integrate into the host nations eventually causing social turmoil.
Like I said, I dont blame the Chinese ar they are looking out for themselves, but, this arrangement will not benefit the less powerful nations in the long run. Not to mention, that this too could be another scheme for the globalists to enact a One World Union.
How many overseas bases does China have compared to the AngloZionist Empire? And, historically, when has China ever engaged in colonialism, brutal enslavement, and the forceful stealing of indigenous land and resources all around the globe like we have? The answer to that question is… Never!
True that. But the picture Fog is painting is that of a benevolent hegemon. Question is, how long can such benevolence be expected to last? A legitimate question.
If you judge by past behavior, say over thousands of years, China has a much better chance of being a benevolent hegemon than the West ever did. It was in our economic DNA to rape and pillage, and the third world certainly is aware of that.
Moot point either way, as it appears that the 21st century will be China’s no matter what, assuming the current industrial paradigm holds at least and that the Zionist triad doesn’t exercise the Samson Option to end it all on the way out. That’s really the wild card in the whole equation and the only reason anyone pays the US any mind at all right now. Take away those nukes tomorrow and everyone simply ignores the Zionists altogether, as their conventional militaries are no longer up to snuff. That’s something Russia and China both are going to have to address sooner rather than later for the good of us all. Securing the nukes.
China is not attempting to displace the US as the world’s hegemon. So your question is invalid.
Iran welcomes Chinese cooperation as does Africa; isn’t it awful? Just for the great fun of it, China could start exporting cheap, really potent opium to the West where feelings of depression and hurt pride are steadily on the rise. The West’s 99% are gonna need it, ha!
LOL! China’s already doing that with Ketamine, albeit at the behest of western profiteers who take even greater pleasure in profiting from the misery of their own countrymen. Proof positive that the western capitalist empire and “exceptionalist” paradigm are finished. Profits not only before people, but indeed, on the very backs of their misery and destruction! Was a time this kinda shit was unconscionable. No more.
Bottom line: China doesn’t even have to try to destroy the US, as we’re working overtime doing it to ourselves.
Who controls the world’s drug trade at the moment, why is America in Afghanistan, why does America need a 140 acre “embassy” in Baghdad ? ( apart from being a supply depot for ISIS ). How did the CIA become so powerful ?. I think everyone already knows the answers.
China does very high volume manufacturing in many technologies so well that few other nations can compete with them, but:
1. Chinese companies do not do middle volume and low volume manufacturing and often they don’t even try. A friend tried very hard to source a custom-made 3kg aluminum casting from China. The Chinese were not interested unless the volume is at least 10,000 a year. The Italians are masters of custom aluminum castings, but for them 1,000 pieces is a decent order.
2. One might disagree but in my opinion, China is deficient in industrial design. After they get a design that works “well enough”, they tend to freeze the design and move on to the next product. The Japanese concept of continuous improvement, does not transplant well to China. So I expect there will continue to be a large number of lower volume industries which will not suffer.
3-A. Part of the benefit of the BRI is that components and sub-assemblies are affordable for non-Chinese industries. One huge example is that cheap Chinese computers have made ubiquity a fact in even the poorest countries, and that ubiquity has been a game-changer for all the world’s software developers.
3-B. There is a constantly increasing proliferation in the variety of goods and services that people want. I’m not talking about having 50 different steering wheels for cars, but truly innovative things people need, such as effective masks, intense UV lights for sterilization, totally new technologies in medicine, etc. Yeah, this gets back to the Malthusians vs. the Prometheans. Pro-tip: Prometheans win most of the time.
4. Chinese wages continue to rise, and now a lot of production has been moved out of China to lower wage areas such as Vietnam. I’m sure the Chinese will respond the same way Japan has, which is far greater use of robots and higher-productivity capital equipment, but the rising wages is a permanent factor.
5. Consumer tastes can favor localization. For example Uruguay is famous for its wool and there was a heyday in the 1970’s when very high quality sweaters came from Uruguay. That could come back.
6. Many items are so large / heavy / fragile that international shipping makes little or no sense.
What I see is massive Chinese competencies and projects for infrastructure – railroads, roads, bridges, power stations, etc. – and usually local workers are hired for the jobs. But Chinese growth in manufactured goods pales by comparison, and that improved infrastructure benefits the nations that get it. The profit that goes the Chinese construction companies is probably less than the money that used to be lost to construction delays and old-fashioned corruption.
My wife is from Uruguay, and, yes, maybe the finest wool in the world comes from there. In the summer, every small farm will have a bale of wool lying in a barn. The problem, as explained to me, is that prices for raw wool are highly variable from year-to-year, such that farmers have no security in increasing their herds. For the small farmers, wool is an aside, a little extra money, not a mainstay. Apparently, the pricing is set in Australia.
Adapt and find a niche in the world. The steam engine maker who laments the end of the age of steam and blames the advent of gasoline has only himself to blame if he refuses to adapt.
Found this article very interesting in light of the sanctions on iran.
But what to make of this? Several Russians are warning about DNC victory in november, it could be very bad, Biden is Obama 2 and will attack DPR LPR as well as sanction Russia to smithereens.
Either way the Russian elite are starting to panic on the prospects of Biden victory in november. Expect armenia and azerbaijan to explode, open Russia NATO war in Ukraine, and the hammer of west and NATO down on Russia.
I hope we are ready for what is coming if this demented man wins.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.rt.com/russia/495620-deripaska-moscow-sanctions-biden/amp/
Trump has destroy any possibility for cooperation between the US and Russia with his insane foreign policy based on military threats sanctions and terminations of any treaty limiting nuclear weapons. Trump has been great in continuing Obama s policy.
Sergei Lavrov Russian foreign minister recently said that US-Russia relations have never been so bad before. Trump contributed greatly in destroying these relations and making them worse than under Obama.
Trump is as demented as Biden.
Ultimately it does not matter who is in the white house. The last four years has shown that relations between US and Russia and China will continue to get worse, until US implodes. Actually there is this interesting article. Prediction that US as an empire will end sometime around 2020. Unless the neocon monstrosities are removed from power soon.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-us-power-to-collapse-predicted-ussr-fall-johan-galtung-a7460516.html
Russia has been weathering sanctions for years now. Along with China, Russia is slowly building up the alternatives. You can see in COVID 19 responses. Russia and China are resilient. As for the attack on Donbass, as a Ukrainian I will say this: It is unlikely to happen. Most Ukrainians do not want war, and will not support it. It is my firm belief.The talk about large scale attack has been going on for years. I will not say it will not happen. Never say never. However even under Obama, large scale attacks did not happen. US is sensing that it is losing supremacy, and it will continue lashing out, it does not matter if Biden or Trump is the president. This is not something which will be solved in an election, which is rigged anyway. It will be solved by a large scale civil disobedience, as Chris Hedges has stated.
Ultimately it does not matter who is in the white house. The last four years has shown that relations between US and Russia and China will continue to get worse, until US implodes.
…
US is sensing that it is losing supremacy, and it will continue lashing out, it does not matter if Biden or Trump is the president. This is not something which will be solved in an election, which is rigged anyway.
Yes, you are exactly correct. Thanks for noticing. Unfortunately…
It will be solved by a large scale civil disobedience, as Chris Hedges has stated.
I can’t imagine a scenario where an event of such magnitude would actually occur (including all the current trivial Dem inspired events of no actual relevance), nor that the current PsTB would actually pay attention. Public Choice Theory. The dissent against the current power structure is mostly powerless and diffuse economically, sociologically, racially, sexually (are you sensing a trend here yet?), etc., while the PsTB are the exact opposite of that. Not surprisingly, they are also quite effectively organized to protect their interests, which the rest of us obviously are not; since as a group, we’re not even sure what our common interests are.
Hedges is quite effective as a journalist, preacher and motivator and I too love his writing; unfortunately his religious leanings always betray whatever strategic instincts he might have. Follow Chris into battle and you’ll end up just another martyr.
Thanks for this informative piece. The “neither east, nor west” slogan was never geographical, it was ideological. Said at a time when the entire world was divided into capitalism(west) and those aligned with it, and communism(east) and those aligned with it. During this struggle both sides, represented by the US and USSR, were competing with each other in swallowing up the world. The Islamic revolution in iran simply asked why should we be held hostage by outsiders, even though we have our own opinion on many of these issues. So they were truely an independent people, that charted their own way. Thats why countries like China and Russia are treated with respect. As they exist right now they dont wish to trample on other peoples rights for the sake of control or domination. The proof for that is evident in the world geopolitics at the moment, anyone who says otherwise is dabbling to far into the world of conspiracies
In the arab news world(puppets of the US in varying degrees) they are trying to push this whole “iran has sold out to the chinese” narrative. These are the same people who laugh at the islamic republic when its isolated, and get pure joy whenever the US throws new sanctions on Iran, and mock its isolation. They essentially want the same thing the US and israel wants, which is for the iranians to just sit on their hands and be completely helpless, so they can come in for the kill. It must be said here, that the saudis have a large propaganda network, in my opinion almost comparable to the lock the western outlets have on the news in the west. Of course this does not mean they control the narrative, as many people see the reality is opposed to the saudi narrative. For example If iran goes to syria to help them against the internationally supported wahhabi terrorist gangs, it gets flipped in the news to “iran kills sunnis.” These are the rotten games that are being played. Of course saudi interest falls under American and israeli interests. Remember when the Shah was in power in iran, the Saudis had good relations with iran, they’re was a video on youtube where the shah was visiting saudi arabia, and all the Saudis broke out their swords and drums, and did their dance routine for the shah. It was only after the expelling of the shah, that the saudis pushed all this “persian, shia, safawi,” influence stuff.
“He /Pompeo/ also says that we and Russia have worked together to kill people in Syria, while (in fact) they (Americans) were supporting ISIS.”
Pompeo is entirely correct here: Russia and Iran along with Hezbollah have indeed worked together to kill people in Syria, if we’re willing to accept ‘people’ as a euphemism for ‘lowlives’, supported by their neocon Pindo kith and kin. The corollary question that Pompeo should be asked is: — Would you prefer if we worked separately ? Or have you suddenly lost interest in bloodshed, azzi zam?
I think it’s obvious, to most rational observers, that the west ( America, UK, Israel and their attended lackeys ) have gone past their zenith…they are now spiralling uncontrollably towards oblivion, but that’s when they’re at their most dangerous. This agreement between Iran and China is an apoplectic strike of immense proportions, not only to their dreams of world domination, but also to their ability to control smaller, weaker, nations. I presume they’ll try every nefarious “Pearl Harbour, 9/11, USS Liberty” false flag in their repertoire to attempt to scuttle this detente, but the game’s up. A new, much brighter world is emerging and it’s to be welcomed by all of mankind.
That US pressure and threats against China have accelerated it into the agreement with Iran is obvious. The more the US uses pressure and threats against its vassals (like EU) and its declared enemies Russia, China, and others, the more the world responds to neutralize and defeat the US. The only sort of friends of the US are in the UK and Israel that both push subversion buttons to lurch the US from one debacle to another.
If the US doesn’t reform how it works with the world it will keep digging its own grave. The further it goes down that path the more it will rationalize doubling down. It will not matter who is elected. The Biden foreign policy team is even more insanely neocon than the Trump admin. Each admin prepares the ground for the escalation by the next. Only the covering narratives change. The US Empire has met its match in the Russia/China strategic alliance joined to Iran. As the US Empire declines it will increase its spoiler tactics to spike advances elsewhere that it doesn’t control. But nothing it does can change where the US is going.
”However, the Islamic Republic had and still has diplomatic relations with all states except Israel and America, which we consider to be our enemies”
That makes perfect sense — just toss in the UK as well; the British have tormented Iran with famines and their evil puppet Monarchs and, needless to say, they haven’t changed their genocidal colonialist attitudes either. Breaking off diplomatic contacts with the Zionazis should have a most welcome effect upon domestic security everywhere. Then again, given the continued diplomatic relations between Iran and Erdogan’s Turkey, is this something that should merit concern?
Let’s go China! Let’s go Iran!
Just ignore the fascist colonialist propaganda coming out of the so-called West or their criminal puppet regimes.
Safari: This project was brought up six years ago during the visit of Mr. Xi Jinping to Iran, but there was a delay from our end …. During my last interview I said frankly, we should have signed this joint cooperation agreement six years ago.
Hmm … Hassan Rouhani became president of Iran almost seven years ago. Is there a connection?
Allying with genocidal islamophobic militant atheists is a huge compromise, and comparable to the alliance between the Saudis and the Zionists. It’s truly pathetic, and a sign that Muslims do not have Islamic political leaders at the moment, only compromisers and pushovers. Quran 60:1. Iran has gone far astray. They may as well join the Zionist club, it’s hypocrisy and disobedience to Allah either way.
You are thinking of Sunni Islam, which does not tolerate any other creed.
The Shiite Iranians are very tolerant of other religions and ideologies.
Allying with those who persecute Monotheists and willfully ignoring their crimes is much more extreme than the tolerance advised by the Quran. Actually the Zionist-Saudi alliance might be holier than the Iranian-Atheist alliance, because the Zionists are People of the Book and are more tolerant of Islam than the CCP.
Imagine that! A Quran spewing sunni, who decries the hypocrisy of the shia IRAN for having made a deal with the Chinese, when all the leaders of the muslim world, except the very leader of the Islamic revolution Imam khamenei, are the errandboys of west, not even daring to go to the toilet before asking Washington for permission! Not surprising though that this Quran spewing sunni seems to think, that the ink is greener in the unholy alliance between the whorehouse of saud and the Zionist occupiers of Palestine! If only the sunni read their own books or at least they read The Quran, which actually calls the jews the greatest enemy of the muslims and forbids muslims from not only alliance with jews but also with the allies of the jews!
What a shame this deal must bring to them! Funny though, how these Omma loving sunni have slaughtered us shia for centuries, where their caliph time after time ordered global genocide of the shia from Africa to the very borders of China! They killed every shia they could find and those who had survived the slaughter would hide in mountains for years to come, not that it has ever stopped. In their mosques they teach them, that if they kill 7 shia, they will dine with The Prophet himself, when their time comes! That is the Omma for you!
So we have lived for the last 40 years under the most barbaric sanctions, this world has ever seen, our economy in ruins and we are unable to sell our oil, but should not bring shame to the sunni by saving ourselves! During the war with Saddam, we captured soldiers from almost 20 muslim countries! We all know, that if you could, you would annihilate us shia in a blink of an eye! Because as long as there is even a single shia alive, we are the proof, that your sunni Islam is fake! You can hide your animosity against us in any shape and color you want, but while our leaders shine, yours bring shame to the word human! And if anything, this deal should have been made years ago. The reason it is done now is because they are thinking of the next presidential election, having brought shame to all Iranians after the jcpoa! Not to mention the fact, that these traitors like Rouhani have done anything and everything humanly possible to destroy the Iranian economy!
If this immensely strategic agreement is signed and implemented as intended, it will deal a massive death blow to all plans to hold back Iran.
Hence, the panic and fear that it is creating among Iran’s enemies.
We can be assured that all those speaking ill against this agreement is an enemy of Iran.
I mean seriously, just when did Iran’s sovreignty became a concern to Israel, the US and Saudi Arabia?
Remember these are the same country that have supported all kinds of terrorism against Iranians.
I remember when there was a terro attack on the Iranian parliament in 2017, and Trump essentially said something to the effect that, “Iran brought this on itself”.
Are these the same folks that now want to convince us that they care about the Iranian people?
Just look at this drivel written below to get an insight into their thinking:
“…Iran is on the precipice of making the most Faustian of bargains. Iran would surely welcome China’s massive market for oil, gas and hydrocarbons; investment in Iran’s banking, telecommunications and transportation sectors; and Chinese technology, which would create an Iranian “great firewall” designed to deny its citizens cyberaccess to the outside world. But Iran would risk ceding some of its sovereignty to the point of becoming China’s client state in violation of the principles that ostensibly guided its 1979 revolution…”
The fact of the matter is, Israel and the US are completely terrified of potential of this strategic agreement, because with this agreement, Iran with its unmatched resourcefullness and immensely taletented population will become unstoppable and the geo-political implications of all this, are too much for them to contemplate.
Hence, they bad-mouth the agreement, with the hope that Iranians will be divided on signing it.
The coming together of these 2 great civillizations; Persian and Chinese, are long overdue and Iran and China must do everything within their powers to make this agreement a reality.
As such, both countries must be prepared and they must anticipate a propaganda campaign of hate and lies and scaremogering against this strategic agreement.
Those who have labored to keep the Islamic Republic down fear that this deal will see Iran’s strength grow tenfolds and so they are panicking and resorting to lies and subterfuge to try and undermine and sabotage it.
The same folks who are presently trying to starve Iranians into submission are suddenly expressing concern for the human rights of the people in Iran, lest the evil Chinese take over their country.
The same bunch that bragged that Covid-19 was doing to Iran, what sanctions failed to do, and denied Iran access to an IMF loan to fight off the Covid-19 Pandemic and prevented vital medical supplies from reaching the country, are suddenly say they are worried because Iran looks set to sign a “bad deal” with China.
Iranians must ignore all those who are against this “strategic agreement” and move to have it signed and implemented ASAP.
Selah
Daniel Hoffman’s drivel quoted above is what you would expect. Today’s Zio-garbage reads like a total parody — listing straightforwardly the very obvious benefits to Iran and expect everyone to be horrified (sure, we have the utter nightmare of Iranians being denied cyberaccess to the ”outside world”, but that’s about it). Teheran’s gilded youth of 10 years earlier, better known as ’the Gucci crowd’, was the only ideologically reliable stratum inside the whole of Iran eagerly responding to this kind of utter psychobabble. Will not fare any better this time around, methinks.
@S400: “The coming together of these 2 great civilizations; Persian and Chinese, is long overdue”.
Actually, far from being overdue, it’s a case of Back to the Future: Persia including Bactria (Afghanistan) has been the Land Bridge between “the West” (Graeco-Roman civilization) and “the East” (ME, India and China) for at least 5,000 years. Lingua Franca along the Silk Road was Persian. See “The Shape of Ancient Thought”, a modern book written especially to remind us of this ancient link. What is long overdue is the 21st century’s abandonment of “the West’s” North Atlanticist orientation.