Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has called on Tehran to pursue diplomacy with the United States to end the ongoing regional conflict. In an article for Foreign Affairs, Zarif proposed that Iran scale back its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of US sanctions. He argued that despite any perceived strategic gains in the current standoff with the US and Israel, continued hostilities risk worsening civilian hardship and infrastructure damage. Zarif suggested Iran could "declare victory" and move toward negotiations, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz and exploring a non-aggression pact. Such steps, he said, could revive economic ties and create space for sustained dialogue. Once the architect of the 2015 nuclear deal, Zarif holds no official position but remains a notable moderate voice. His appeal marks one of the first high-level calls for de-escalation amid strong hardline sentiment within Iran's leadership. US President Donald Trump has indicated indirect talks are underway but warned of consequences if they collapse. On X, Zarif expressed hesitation about going public, criticised Trump's rhetoric, and stressed that peace aligned with Iran's national interest justifies the effort.
Zarif's public appeal reveals a quiet but growing rift between Iran's diplomatic moderates and its entrenched hardliners. That a former foreign minister feels compelled to make his case directly to the global audience shows how constrained official channels have become. His proposal, tied to concrete actions like reopening the Strait of Hormuz, suggests that de-escalation is possible—but only if leaders on both sides are willing to accept political risk. For Nigerians, this matters because instability in global oil chokepoints can quickly translate into higher fuel costs and economic strain at home.
