Words MAXMILIAN WECHSLER
| HIS Excellency Mohsen Mohammadi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Thailand, covered a wide range of issues in this exclusive interview. Besides the usual topics of bilateral relations and economic cooperation, the Ambassador was more than willing to delve into more controversial areas, including US sanctions and their effect on his country, international terrorism and Iran’s role in the Middle East and in Syria. This is his first ambassadorial assignment, beginning in January 2016. He is also ambassador to Myanmar and Laos. Geographically, Iran is located in West Asia and is considered as a part of Middle East,” began the Ambassador. “With 1.65 million square kilometers it is the 17th largest country of the world, and with population of nearly 80 million people it is 18th. Together with its 15 neighboring countries (a market of 550 million people), Iran can be considered the junction of Europe and Africa and South and East. “Based on a British Petroleum 2015 report, Iran holds the world’s largest proven natural gas reserves (17% of the total) and fourth largest proven oil reserves (10% of the total). Iran is also rich in many other natural resources. |  |
The Persian Gulf and its strategic ‘Strait of Hormuz’ is one of the world’s most important strategic regions, and Iran is the main provider of its security.
“It is said that nowhere is more important than the Persian Gulf in the continuation of growth of the global
economy and international stability. Why? Because it contains 63% of the world oil reserves; provides more than41% of the world’s oil consumption; contains 30% of global gas reserves and the daily passing of 15 to 17 million oil barrels through the Strait of Hormuz.
“Backed by more than 7,000 years of written history, Iran is 10th in the world in terms of tourism attractions, fifth in ecotourism and 23 sights of Iran have so far been inscribed by UNESCO as the world heritage. With all these Iran being known as the cradle of civilization.
“With 24 million of young high educated and well qualified human resources, Iran has been ranked sixth in the world for Nano Technology Articles, the producer of the first Nano-organic iron chelate fertilizer in the world and producer of Nano fibers with new morphologies via the synthesis of functional aureole Nano fibers.
“It is said that nowhere is more important than the Persian Gulf in the continuation of growth of the global
economy and international stability. Why? Because it contains 63% of the world oil reserves; provides more than41% of the world’s oil consumption; contains 30% of global gas reserves and the daily passing of 15 to 17 million oil barrels through the Strait of Hormuz.
“Backed by more than 7,000 years of written history, Iran is 10th in the world in terms of tourism attractions, fifth in ecotourism and 23 sights of Iran have so far been inscribed by UNESCO as the world heritage. With all these Iran being known as the cradle of civilization.
“With 24 million of young high educated and well qualified human resources, Iran has been ranked sixth in the world for Nano Technology Articles, the producer of the first Nano-organic iron chelate fertilizer in the world and producer of Nano fibers with new morphologies via the synthesis of functional aureole Nano fibers.
 Fatima Masouma shrine, Qom |  Azadi Tower, Tehran |
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Extra points Ambassador asked to be allowed to make a few additional points: “In conclusion and referring to about 40 years of Iran phobia and poisonous propaganda constantly promoted and injected into the world public opinion against Iran by some media, which are at the service of the evil intentions of some great powers, I would like to share some facts about the reality of my country: • Iranians enjoy a unique identity different from other races in the region; • We have our own calendar and our New Year starts on 21st of March. Last year we had a joint New Year celebration with other countries of ancient territory of Iranian civilization on 21st of March in UNESCAP; • Iran in accordance with its constitution neither seeks to dominate nor will ever submit to domination. Iran believes that the era of regional and global hegemony has long passed. Iran is an empire due to its civilization and its culture, not through military domination; • Iran has always promoted peace, good neighborliness, and the creation of a world opposed to violence and extremism; • In our Shiite religion, extremism and bloodshed have no position. We are a nation seeking peace, justice, dignity and equality in rights; • Iranians are infinitely hospitable, as far as believing that the guest is a ‘friend of God’. Last year, former ambassador of Italy, spouse of Colombian ambassador and deputy head of Brazil mission in Bangkok travelled extensively in Iran and their memories of their journeys can confirm my claims; • Poetry and literature have been always one of the most important aspects of Iranian life, Great poets like Attar Neishabouri, Omar Khayyam, Hafiz, Saadi and Molavi, are the most famous and people all over the world enjoy the latent wisdom in their lyrics; • Iranian music played with Persian instruments creates a combination of passion and pleasure for every listener; • Iran is one of the pioneers of the growth of science growth throughout the world. Great scholars such as Khwarizmi, Khajeh Nasir and Ibn Sina had great impact on developing different fields of science. Today’s Iranian scientists inside and outside of Iran, such as Majid Samiei, Ali Javani, Hashem Rafie-Tabaar, Nader Enghetaa, Firouz Naderi and the late Maryam Mirzakhani, are celebrities in various arenas of global science. Several brilliant startups have been launched by these people and many companies in Silicon Valley or universities around the world are taking advantage of their presence; • Iranian women have played an outstanding and undeniable role in scientific, artistic, sporting and other advances. More than 60% of college graduates are female and nowadays the participation of women in various fields is more significant than ever.” |
Economy
“Iran has the 18th largest economy in the world, with an estimated GDP for 2017 of US$439.5 billion. Besides being a major exporter of oil and petrochemicals, we also supply much of the world with carpets, dried fruit and caviar. We are ranked highly in the production of cars, clothing, food, cement and agricultural products for export. Regarding the current economic situation in Iran, Mr Mohammadi said: “I can say that Iran has adopted a comprehensive strategy encompassing market-based reforms, as reflected in the government’s 20-year vision document and the sixth five-year development plan for 2016-2021, which is comprised of three pillars. These are: economic development, progress in science and technology, and the promotion of cultural excellence. “On the economic front, the development plan envisages an annual economic growth rate of eight percent. The reform of state-owned enterprises and the financial and banking sector, and the allocation and management of oil revenues are among the main priorities of the government outlined in the five-year plan. “Following a contraction of 1.6% in 2015, the Iranian economy bounced back sharply in 2016, with a 12.5% growth rate. Preliminary data for the first half of 2017 indicates a year-on-year GDP growth of 4.5%. Iran’s non-oil exports are now rapidly approaching the $20 billion mark and concomitantly Iran is preparing to export approximately twenty-five million tons of petrochemicals per year (including olefins, xylene and methanols) and by the year 2020, approximately 35 million tons of LNG. “The government has provided a very comprehensive law in terms of dynamism and agility in economy and protecting investments and any other necessary competent facilities, which are the most important factors in any trade and investment decisions for foreign investors as well.” Bilateral relations
“The relationship between Iran and Siam goes back to the Sassanid Empire era. The first official Iranian political mission in Siam was established in 1686. In modern times, official diplomatic relations began in 1955. “The historic visit to Iran by their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand in April 1967, the celebration of their wedding anniversary in Iran and the visit of Her Royal Highness Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to Iran in 2004, are the signs of excellent relations between the two countries both before and after the Revolution in Iran. “The Islamic Revolution even made the relations stronger because of the ‘Look East Policy’ of Iran in which South East Asia found a special position in expanding political and trade relations. “After the lifting of the unfair and politically motivated sanctions against Iran in July 2015, we have witnessed positive developments in relations with Thailand. In January 2016 Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai led a large delegation to Tehran and co-chaired the 9th Joint Economic Commission. |
“Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak came to Tehran the following mounth and signed six documents relating to cooperation in various areas. Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Javad Zarif visited Thailand in March 2015. Hassan Rouhani, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, came to Thailand in October 2016, and Vice President Mohammad Bagher Nobakht came here in May 2018.
“Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, was scheduled to attend the planned October 2018 Asia Cooperation Dialogue Summit in Tehran. This meeting has, however, been postponed to next year due to the request of some other member states.
“The exchange of so many high-ranking delegations demonstrate the profound will of the authorities of our two countries to begin a new era of cooperation,” Mr Mohammadi stressed.
The ambassador said trade between Iran and Thailand is also on the upswing. “In 2017 total trade both ways reached US$955 million, which show an astonishing increase compare to US$435 million in 2016.
“Both sides have always paid attention to the cultural dimensions of our relationship as well as the economic, which is why our cultural center in Bangkok is very active. I invited everyone to enjoy the traditional Persian paintings there and participate in the Persian language courses.
“More than 137,000 Iranian tourists visited Thailand in 2017. There are some common efforts by both sides to increase the number of tourists between the two countries particularly the Thai tourists to Iran.
“Due to the good knowledge and experience of Thailand, Iran is going to cooperate with this country to exploit the potential of tourism and hotel industries. Right now there are four weekly direct flights by Iran’s Mahan Air between Tehran and Bangkok.
“Iran and Thailand are two great nations with unique capabilities, which can completement each other. The relations between the two countries on the basis of historical ties, common values, mutual benefits and respects, have developed on a very positive trend and a very bright future of friendly and constructive relations and bilateral cooperation is predicted.”
 | US sanctions Unfortunately, since the presence of the new US administration in the White House, the world community is surprised daily by US denial of its bilateral or international commitments in the framework of already agreed treaties and conventions, based on President Trump’s high-stakes ‘America First’ policy. “The Trans-Pacific Partnership, Paris Climate Accord, NAFTA, the global trade system, Asian-Pacific trade deal, trade war with China, some parts of the United Nations system, stances against G7, leaving 1987 missile treaty with Russia (INF) and so on – these are just some examples of this erratic behavior. These have inflicted considerable damage to multilateralism, international law and the prospects for resolving disputes through diplomacy. They have challenged US credibility and trustworthy as well. “It seems that US government is going to retry again the dangerous defeated policy of ‘hegemony’ on the basis of solely US nationalism and US national interests. “On the same path, in May 2018, in defiance of warnings from the UN, the European Union, the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) signatories and many other international players, President Trump announced his unilateral and unlawful decision to withdraw from the JCPOA, in material breach of Security Council Resolution 2231 of which the JCPOA is a part, and signed an executive order to re impose unilateral sanctions against Iran, which were lifted under the nuclear deal. |
“This is while most world powers, including Russia, China, and even its closest allies such as the European Union, Britain, France and Germany, have repeatedly stressed the need to keep the agreement, which was the result of hundreds of hours of arduous bilateral and multilateral negotiations. This ignored the fact that the Islamic Republic of Iran has scrupulously fulfilled its undertakings under the JCPOA, and the IAEA has consistently verified the Islamic Republic’s compliance.
“By doing so, the US Government violated its commitments under the JCPOA, failed to comply with unanimously-adopted UNSCR 2231, breached the Charter of the United Nations and showed their contempt for international law, and breached the explicit pledge of the US government in the Algiers Declaration of 1981 by openly declaring a policy of direct interference in the internal affairs of Iran. President Trump and his secretary of state even openly threatened the rest of the world that any nation complying with Security Council resolution 2231 and does not cease dealing with Iran will be punished!
“World leaders and many US politicians have reacted to US withdrawal from Iran’s nuclear deal. Even Barack Obama issued a statement, saying ‘the decision to put the JCPOA at risk without any Iranian violation of the deal is a serious mistake.’
“Even the UN top court (ICJ), tacitly criticized the US over its hardline stance toward the country following President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran Nuclear Deal and ruled that the US must comply with obligations violated by re-imposing sanctions on Iranian people.
“As President Rohani said: “It is the first time in the history of the United Nations that such a general invitation to violate the law’ is coupled with threatening law-abiders with punishment!
“With all this, Iran unlike the United States, remains committed to the nuclear deal, on condition that other governments also comply with their commitments on the basis of the JCPOA. EU, Russia and China have actively rejected the US sanctions, pledging to maintain trade ties with Iran and show no signs of following Washington’s sanctions either.
“In 12th Asian- European Summit on October 27-26 in Brussels, 51 member states announced that maintaining the nuclear deal with Iran reflects respect to international agreements and to the promotion of international peace, stability and security.
“It can be said that such actions by US alongside some human rights double standards, especially its positions against some recent humanitarian crimes, have sacrificed America’s old fake human rights protection claims. They are increasingly isolating the US administration internally and internationally, and only a small handful of US client states in our region welcome it.”
“It seems that US government is going to retry again the dangerous defeated policy of ‘hegemony’ on the basis of solely US nationalism and US national interests.
“On the same path, in May 2018, in defiance of warnings from the UN, the European Union, the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) signatories and many other international players, President Trump announced his unilateral and unlawful decision to withdraw from the JCPOA, in material breach of Security Council Resolution 2231 of which the JCPOA is a part, and signed an executive order to re impose unilateral sanctions against Iran, which were lifted under the nuclear deal.
“This is while most world powers, including Russia, China, and even its closest allies such as the European Union, Britain, France and Germany, have repeatedly stressed the need to keep the agreement, which was the result of hundreds of hours of arduous bilateral and multilateral negotiations. This ignored the fact that the Islamic Republic of Iran has scrupulously fulfilled its undertakings under the JCPOA, and the IAEA has consistently verified the Islamic Republic’s compliance.
“By doing so, the US Government violated its commitments under the JCPOA, failed to comply with unanimously-adopted UNSCR 2231, breached the Charter of the United Nations and showed their contempt for international law, and breached the explicit pledge of the US government in the Algiers Declaration of 1981 by openly declaring a policy of direct interference in the internal affairs of Iran. President Trump and his secretary of state even openly threatened the rest of the world that any nation complying with Security Council resolution 2231 and does not cease dealing with Iran will be punished!
“World leaders and many US politicians have reacted to US withdrawal from Iran’s nuclear deal. Even Barack Obama issued a statement, saying ‘the decision to put the JCPOA at risk without any Iranian violation of the deal is a serious mistake.’
“Even the UN top court (ICJ), tacitly criticized the US over its hardline stance toward the country following President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran Nuclear Deal and ruled that the US must comply with obligations violated by re-imposing sanctions on Iranian people.
“As President Rohani said: “It is the first time in the history of the United Nations that such a general invitation to violate the law’ is coupled with threatening law-abiders with punishment!
“With all this, Iran unlike the United States, remains committed to the nuclear deal, on condition that other governments also comply with their commitments on the basis of the JCPOA. EU, Russia and China have actively rejected the US sanctions, pledging to maintain trade ties with Iran and show no signs of following Washington’s sanctions either.
“In 12th Asian- European Summit on October 27-26 in Brussels, 51 member states announced that maintaining the nuclear deal with Iran reflects respect to international agreements and to the promotion of international peace, stability and security.
“It can be said that such actions by US alongside some human rights double standards, especially its positions against some recent humanitarian crimes, have sacrificed America’s old fake human rights protection claims. They are increasingly isolating the US administration internally and internationally, and only a small handful of US client states in our region welcome it.”
“On the same path, in May 2018, in defiance of warnings from the UN, the European Union, the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) signatories and many other international players, President Trump announced his unilateral and unlawful decision to withdraw from the JCPOA, in material breach of Security Council Resolution 2231 of which the JCPOA is a part, and signed an executive order to re impose unilateral sanctions against Iran, which were lifted under the nuclear deal.
“This is while most world powers, including Russia, China, and even its closest allies such as the European Union, Britain, France and Germany, have repeatedly stressed the need to keep the agreement, which was the result of hundreds of hours of arduous bilateral and multilateral negotiations. This ignored the fact that the Islamic Republic of Iran has scrupulously fulfilled its undertakings under the JCPOA, and the IAEA has consistently verified the Islamic Republic’s compliance.
“By doing so, the US Government violated its commitments under the JCPOA, failed to comply with unanimously-adopted UNSCR 2231, breached the Charter of the United Nations and showed their contempt for international law, and breached the explicit pledge of the US government in the Algiers Declaration of 1981 by openly declaring a policy of direct interference in the internal affairs of Iran. President Trump and his secretary of state even openly threatened the rest of the world that any nation complying with Security Council resolution 2231 and does not cease dealing with Iran will be punished!
“World leaders and many US politicians have reacted to US withdrawal from Iran’s nuclear deal. Even Barack Obama issued a statement, saying ‘the decision to put the JCPOA at risk without any Iranian violation of the deal is a serious mistake.’
“Even the UN top court (ICJ), tacitly criticized the US over its hardline stance toward the country following President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran Nuclear Deal and ruled that the US must comply with obligations violated by re-imposing sanctions on Iranian people.
“As President Rohani said: “It is the first time in the history of the United Nations that such a general invitation to violate the law’ is coupled with threatening law-abiders with punishment!
“With all this, Iran unlike the United States, remains committed to the nuclear deal, on condition that other governments also comply with their commitments on the basis of the JCPOA. EU, Russia and China have actively rejected the US sanctions, pledging to maintain trade ties with Iran and show no signs of following Washington’s sanctions either.
“In 12th Asian- European Summit on October 27-26 in Brussels, 51 member states announced that maintaining the nuclear deal with Iran reflects respect to international agreements and to the promotion of international peace, stability and security.
“It can be said that such actions by US alongside some human rights double standards, especially its positions against some recent humanitarian crimes, have sacrificed America’s old fake human rights protection claims. They are increasingly isolating the US administration internally and internationally, and only a small handful of US client states in our region welcome it.”
Sanctions effect
During the past 40 years, the Iranian people have heroically resisted and foiled aggression and pressure by the US, including its imposition of unilateral, extraterritorial and even multilateral sanctions; coup attempts; military interventions; its support of the Iraq invasion; the shooting down an Iranian passenger plane by the USS Vincennes in July 1988 that led to the murder of 290 innocent passengers; supporting Mossad in the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists; sabotage of Iran’s nuclear peaceful program through cyber-attacks; fabrication of fake documents to deceive the international community over Iran’s peaceful nuclear program and so on.
“Basically, one of the American goals of imposing of sanctions has been to dissatisfy Iranians and to create a gap between the people and the government. But it has failed to achieve this goal because of the bad record of US policies in Iran as well as the revolutionary mentality of Iranians.
“It cannot be denied that Iran’s economic growth has slowed, while in some areas the lives of Iranian people have been affected, especially in obtaining humanitarian technologies, advanced pharmaceutical products for humanitarian purposes, airplane safety and so on, which have resulted human casualties.
“But anyway, fortunately we are a wealthy country and by paying more, we were successful in tackling most of the problems and in the provision of necessary goods and technologies, despite sanctions. In addition, the sanctions led Iranians to be more independent in providing their needs by themselves and to stay on their own feet.
“One thing must be keep in mind is that recent unilateral US sanctions have a fundamental difference with previous ones and the current juncture is not as difficult as the previous ones, because now only three or four countries are accompanying the US.
“Other global powers encourage business with Iran and reject the Trump administration’s policy. The EU is calling on companies to disregard threats from Washington and is seeking more ways to work with Iran. The Russian foreign ministry announced that Moscow is ‘deeply disappointed by US steps to re-impose its national sanctions against Iran, and that Russia would continue to work with other parties to the agreement to preserve trade with the Middle East nation’.
“China condemned the measures reinstated against Tehran and said, ‘China’s commercial cooperation with Iran is open and transparent, reasonable, fair and lawful, not violating any United Nations Security Council resolutions’.
“I firmly believe we will manage to pass this critical juncture as well, as we did in the past. We are working with our other partners. As an example, the EU has a three-pronged action plan that consists of guaranteeing European Investment Bank (EIB) services to Iran, activating the ‘blocking statute’ to safeguard European firms active in Iran against US secondary sanctions, and securing direct credit transfers to Iran’s central bank that would bypass the US financial system.
“We are also working hard to develop our own measures, exploring the potential for using crypto currencies, settle cross-border trades, using barter mechanism, setting up a new international bank messaging system to rival Swift, the current global standard, removing US dollar from our trade and so on.
“There are so many other advantages that Iran, by exploiting them, can overcome US policies against Iran. Just as an example, over 5.2 million tourists visited Iran last year. The goal is to increase this amount to 20 million per year which will increase the country’s tourism revenue from its current US$6 billion to US$25 billion per year. Such features cannot be affected by unilateral sanctions.”
During the past 40 years, the Iranian people have heroically resisted and foiled aggression and pressure by the US, including its imposition of unilateral, extraterritorial and even multilateral sanctions; coup attempts; military interventions; its support of the Iraq invasion; the shooting down an Iranian passenger plane by the USS Vincennes in July 1988 that led to the murder of 290 innocent passengers; supporting Mossad in the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists; sabotage of Iran’s nuclear peaceful program through cyber-attacks; fabrication of fake documents to deceive the international community over Iran’s peaceful nuclear program and so on.
“Basically, one of the American goals of imposing of sanctions has been to dissatisfy Iranians and to create a gap between the people and the government. But it has failed to achieve this goal because of the bad record of US policies in Iran as well as the revolutionary mentality of Iranians.
“It cannot be denied that Iran’s economic growth has slowed, while in some areas the lives of Iranian people have been affected, especially in obtaining humanitarian technologies, advanced pharmaceutical products for humanitarian purposes, airplane safety and so on, which have resulted human casualties.
“But anyway, fortunately we are a wealthy country and by paying more, we were successful in tackling most of the problems and in the provision of necessary goods and technologies, despite sanctions. In addition, the sanctions led Iranians to be more independent in providing their needs by themselves and to stay on their own feet.
“One thing must be keep in mind is that recent unilateral US sanctions have a fundamental difference with previous ones and the current juncture is not as difficult as the previous ones, because now only three or four countries are accompanying the US.
“Other global powers encourage business with Iran and reject the Trump administration’s policy. The EU is calling on companies to disregard threats from Washington and is seeking more ways to work with Iran. The Russian foreign ministry announced that Moscow is ‘deeply disappointed by US steps to re-impose its national sanctions against Iran, and that Russia would continue to work with other parties to the agreement to preserve trade with the Middle East nation’.
“China condemned the measures reinstated against Tehran and said, ‘China’s commercial cooperation with Iran is open and transparent, reasonable, fair and lawful, not violating any United Nations Security Council resolutions’.
“I firmly believe we will manage to pass this critical juncture as well, as we did in the past. We are working with our other partners. As an example, the EU has a three-pronged action plan that consists of guaranteeing European Investment Bank (EIB) services to Iran, activating the ‘blocking statute’ to safeguard European firms active in Iran against US secondary sanctions, and securing direct credit transfers to Iran’s central bank that would bypass the US financial system.
“We are also working hard to develop our own measures, exploring the potential for using crypto currencies, settle cross-border trades, using barter mechanism, setting up a new international bank messaging system to rival Swift, the current global standard, removing US dollar from our trade and so on.
“There are so many other advantages that Iran, by exploiting them, can overcome US policies against Iran. Just as an example, over 5.2 million tourists visited Iran last year. The goal is to increase this amount to 20 million per year which will increase the country’s tourism revenue from its current US$6 billion to US$25 billion per year. Such features cannot be affected by unilateral sanctions.”
 Pink Mosque, Shiraz |  Western Iran Mountain |
Iran’s role in the Middle East
“Historical review indicates that Iran’s geopolitics have always forced our country to play a significant role in view of its capabilities, both before or after revolution. Playing such a role has been expected not only by the countries of the region, but also is a requirement of regional order and balance.
“So this feature is not specific to the post-revolution era. Even before the Islamic revolution, Iran had the same role in the region as a reliable regional power. For example, Iran military forces arrived in Oman in 1973 at the request of the government of Sultanate of Oman against Dhofar Rebellion and saved the country from communist domination. Notably, Oman as an Arab country, asked a non-Arab country of Iran for help and not any other Arab country.
“Due to excellent relations between Iran and the West, especially the United States, the superior and uncontested role of the Shah as a gendarme in the region and Iran’s involvement in the suppression of the Dhofar movement in Oman, was recognized and encouraged by them and even by Arab world (except Iraq).
“From the very beginning of the establishment of the Islamic Republic in Iran, the powers who lost their interests in Iran and the region, as well as the leaders of some countries who were in a fear of the effects and echoes of Islamic revolution and achievements in Iran on their dominant monarchies, launched attacks and plots in order to destabilize and overthrow Islamic Republic of Iran.
These included organizing terrorist groups and separatist movements, eight years of war imposed by Iraq with military and financial support, propagation of Iran phobia, forming and supporting extremist deceptive Islamic terrorist groups and factions against Iran, such as Taliban, Al-Qaida and finally ISIS et cetera.
“All these extremist groups with fake and distorted face of Islam, became themselves a threat to those countries who created and supported them, and a threat to security and stability of the region as well.
“As I mentioned, Iran always plays a decisive role in the stability of the region and its neighbors. Iran considers force and military changes in any country as a threat to the stability of the region. So when people and governments of Syria, Iraq and the Kurdish autonomous region were not able to resist ISIS and asked Iran for help, we responded to these requests and gave them advisory military assistance.
“It was Iran that defeated ISIS in the region and continues its anti-terror mission as long as the legitimate governments in Syria, Iraq or other countries want it to do so. But today, playing the same regional role as in the Shah period, Iran is not welcomed or recognized by the powers who lost their interests in Iran and the region, or by some regional leaders who are in a fear of the same fate as the Shah.
“Let me point out here that our military achievements, including our missile systems as well as our entire defense expenditure, are a fraction of those US clients in the neighborhood (some, third in the world in terms of military budget) who race to buy hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of the most sophisticated weaponry, including missiles with longer ranges than Iran’s. Our military goal is only about self-defense and detent.
“If it were not for Iran’s efforts, the whole region would be now dominated by ISIS which would act as a source of expansion of terrorism and extremism. The international community has realized the importance of Iran’s positive role in resolving the crisis in the region as well as standing against illegal drug trafficking westwards and preventing the undeniable threat of immigration waves to Europe. Any unrealistic approaches should be abandoned when assessing this role.
“We are in a close cooperation with Russia and Turkey as the main regional powers in this regard and oppose any interference by outside powers. Only the people of each country should decide their own future via a free referendum in a stable and peaceful condition.
“Now, with the end of war in Syria close, Iran as an invited friend to Syrian nation has been welcomed along with other world community members to extend a helping hand in reconstructing its ruined infrastructure. Humanitarian issues always has the lion’s share in Iran foreign policy.
“We are ready to participate in the reconstruction of Syria’s important energy sector. The Iranian Mapna Group Company as a first step has signed a memorandum of understanding with Syrian Public Establishment of Electricity for Generation for the construction of a 540 megawatt combined cycle power plant in port city of Latakia.”
“Historical review indicates that Iran’s geopolitics have always forced our country to play a significant role in view of its capabilities, both before or after revolution. Playing such a role has been expected not only by the countries of the region, but also is a requirement of regional order and balance.
“So this feature is not specific to the post-revolution era. Even before the Islamic revolution, Iran had the same role in the region as a reliable regional power. For example, Iran military forces arrived in Oman in 1973 at the request of the government of Sultanate of Oman against Dhofar Rebellion and saved the country from communist domination. Notably, Oman as an Arab country, asked a non-Arab country of Iran for help and not any other Arab country.
“Due to excellent relations between Iran and the West, especially the United States, the superior and uncontested role of the Shah as a gendarme in the region and Iran’s involvement in the suppression of the Dhofar movement in Oman, was recognized and encouraged by them and even by Arab world (except Iraq).
“From the very beginning of the establishment of the Islamic Republic in Iran, the powers who lost their interests in Iran and the region, as well as the leaders of some countries who were in a fear of the effects and echoes of Islamic revolution and achievements in Iran on their dominant monarchies, launched attacks and plots in order to destabilize and overthrow Islamic Republic of Iran.
These included organizing terrorist groups and separatist movements, eight years of war imposed by Iraq with military and financial support, propagation of Iran phobia, forming and supporting extremist deceptive Islamic terrorist groups and factions against Iran, such as Taliban, Al-Qaida and finally ISIS et cetera.
“All these extremist groups with fake and distorted face of Islam, became themselves a threat to those countries who created and supported them, and a threat to security and stability of the region as well.
“As I mentioned, Iran always plays a decisive role in the stability of the region and its neighbors. Iran considers force and military changes in any country as a threat to the stability of the region. So when people and governments of Syria, Iraq and the Kurdish autonomous region were not able to resist ISIS and asked Iran for help, we responded to these requests and gave them advisory military assistance.
“It was Iran that defeated ISIS in the region and continues its anti-terror mission as long as the legitimate governments in Syria, Iraq or other countries want it to do so. But today, playing the same regional role as in the Shah period, Iran is not welcomed or recognized by the powers who lost their interests in Iran and the region, or by some regional leaders who are in a fear of the same fate as the Shah.
“Let me point out here that our military achievements, including our missile systems as well as our entire defense expenditure, are a fraction of those US clients in the neighborhood (some, third in the world in terms of military budget) who race to buy hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of the most sophisticated weaponry, including missiles with longer ranges than Iran’s. Our military goal is only about self-defense and detent.
“If it were not for Iran’s efforts, the whole region would be now dominated by ISIS which would act as a source of expansion of terrorism and extremism. The international community has realized the importance of Iran’s positive role in resolving the crisis in the region as well as standing against illegal drug trafficking westwards and preventing the undeniable threat of immigration waves to Europe. Any unrealistic approaches should be abandoned when assessing this role.
“We are in a close cooperation with Russia and Turkey as the main regional powers in this regard and oppose any interference by outside powers. Only the people of each country should decide their own future via a free referendum in a stable and peaceful condition.
“Now, with the end of war in Syria close, Iran as an invited friend to Syrian nation has been welcomed along with other world community members to extend a helping hand in reconstructing its ruined infrastructure. Humanitarian issues always has the lion’s share in Iran foreign policy.
“We are ready to participate in the reconstruction of Syria’s important energy sector. The Iranian Mapna Group Company as a first step has signed a memorandum of understanding with Syrian Public Establishment of Electricity for Generation for the construction of a 540 megawatt combined cycle power plant in port city of Latakia.”
Personal
In closing, Mr Mohammadi talked briefly about himself and his life in Thailand. “What has most fascinated me in the nearly three years I have lived in Thailand is the politeness and genteel nature of the Thai people. You get a sense of satisfaction and contentment, tolerance and patience, of peaceful coexistence among the people regardless of their religious beliefs. So I enjoy very much walking around here and communicating with the people.
“As for my hobbies, I love handicrafts, wood carvings and antiques and I sometimes buy antiques from markets in Bangkok. I also love Iranian classical music, mountaineering and hiking.”
In closing, Mr Mohammadi talked briefly about himself and his life in Thailand. “What has most fascinated me in the nearly three years I have lived in Thailand is the politeness and genteel nature of the Thai people. You get a sense of satisfaction and contentment, tolerance and patience, of peaceful coexistence among the people regardless of their religious beliefs. So I enjoy very much walking around here and communicating with the people.
“As for my hobbies, I love handicrafts, wood carvings and antiques and I sometimes buy antiques from markets in Bangkok. I also love Iranian classical music, mountaineering and hiking.”
CV of H.E. Mohsen Mohammadi
Assignments:
• 1991-1993: Desk officer of Pakistan affairs, 2nd Department
for West-Asia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
• 1993-1997: Second Secretary, Embassy of Iran in Taskhent.
• 1997-1998: Desk officer of Uzbekistan, 2nd Department for
Central Asia and Caucasus, MFA.
• 1998-2001: Deputy of the 2nd Department for Central Asia
and Caucasus, MFA.
• 2001-2004: Deputy Head of Mission in Helsinki, Finland.
• 2004-2006: Desk officer of European Parliament in 1st
Department for Western Europe, MFA.
• 2006-2007: Desk officer of Biological Weapons Convention,
Department for Disarmament and International Security, MFA.
• 2008-2011: Minister Counsellor, Embassy of Iran in Berlin,
Germany.
• 2011-2012: Desk officer on Organization for the Prohibition
of Chemical Weapons and Conventions on Chemicals, National
Authority for Conventions on Chemicals, MFA.
• 2012-2016: Head of 2nd Department for Central Asia and
Caucasus, and National Secretary for Shanghai Cooperation
Organization, MFA.
Assignments:
• 1991-1993: Desk officer of Pakistan affairs, 2nd Department
for West-Asia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
• 1993-1997: Second Secretary, Embassy of Iran in Taskhent.
• 1997-1998: Desk officer of Uzbekistan, 2nd Department for
Central Asia and Caucasus, MFA.
• 1998-2001: Deputy of the 2nd Department for Central Asia
and Caucasus, MFA.
• 2001-2004: Deputy Head of Mission in Helsinki, Finland.
• 2004-2006: Desk officer of European Parliament in 1st
Department for Western Europe, MFA.
• 2006-2007: Desk officer of Biological Weapons Convention,
Department for Disarmament and International Security, MFA.
• 2008-2011: Minister Counsellor, Embassy of Iran in Berlin,
Germany.
• 2011-2012: Desk officer on Organization for the Prohibition
of Chemical Weapons and Conventions on Chemicals, National
Authority for Conventions on Chemicals, MFA.
• 2012-2016: Head of 2nd Department for Central Asia and
Caucasus, and National Secretary for Shanghai Cooperation
Organization, MFA.
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