Experts' assessment of Mohammad Javad Zarif's proposed MWADA (Amity) plan for West Asia: The strategy of amity is good for the region and means Iran skinning its policies
The MWADA plan is based on the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference, Islamic values and collective security, and its main objective is to strengthen peaceful coexistence
The Persian Bridge of Friendship republishes this article with minor changes. Mohammad Javad Zarif's proposal of the MWADA (Amity) plan comes in the context of the fall of Bashar Assad's regime in Syria, the territorial expansion of what some refer to as Greater Israel, the significant weakening of the militant groups of Hezbollah and Hamas, and discussions about whether Iran will wake up in a better international position in the region if it is somehow relieved of the burden of supporting its proxies in the Middle East.
On 22 December 2024, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, rejected claims that the Islamic Republic relies on proxy forces, stating in a public address that groups such as Yemen's Houthis, Hezbollah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad act independently, driven by their own faith and beliefs. He emphasised that these groups fight on the basis of their convictions and do not represent Iran, adding that when Iran decides to act, it does not need proxies to do so.
In this context, Mohammad Javad Zarif's MWADA (Amity) proposal of 23 December 2024 further strengthens doubts that Iran is considering changing its long-standing policy of supporting its proxies in the Middle East and may instead focus on regional cooperation and attempt a return to international political and economic relations.
News Group, The Compatriot (Hammihan), 26 December 2024
In his 23 December 2024 Economist note, Mohammad Javad Zarif proposed the formation of a "Muslim West Asia Dialogue Association" (MWADA, which also means “amity” in Arabic) as a mechanism to achieve transformation in West Asia.
This note highlights the need for a transformative approach to achieving stability in the Middle East region, particularly the Persian Gulf, emphasising the three characteristics of synergy rather than hegemony, moving beyond the zero-sum game, and dialogue rather than imposition. The plan seeks to bring together all influential Muslim stakeholders in West Asia, including Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Bahrain, Turkey, Iraq, the future government of Syria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Yemen, as well as representatives of the United Nations.
The MWADA plan is based on the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference, Islamic values and collective security, and its main objective is to strengthen peaceful coexistence and fair partnership. The main priorities of the MWADA Plan can be categorised into 10 axes:
Establishing immediate, sustainable and permanent ceasefires in crisis areas such as Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen.
Conclusion of a non-aggression pact between member states with regional collective monitoring.
Economic integration and the establishment of the MWADA Development Fund for essential infrastructure projects and increased accountability.
Infrastructure programmes ranging from transport to energy lines and communication networks, creating multi-purpose corridors with high capacity.
Ensuring energy security by protecting energy routes, exploring sustainable energy sources and cooperating on renewable and clean energy.
Efforts to create a nuclear-weapon-free zone and revitalise the JCPOA.
Laying the groundwork for new regional cooperation on freedom of navigation through the establishment of joint maritime security patrols.
Reviving the Hormuz Peace Initiative (HOPE) to strengthen peace and stability among the countries of the Hormuz region (more about HOPE can be read here and here)
Strengthening unity and brotherhood between Shia and Sunni Muslims to counter divisive forces, extremism and sectarianism.
Work together to address common challenges such as extremism, sectarianism, water security and cultural exchanges, establish a regional council for sustainable water management, launch joint counter-terrorism initiatives and adopt media policies that promote coexistence.
Fereydoun Majlessi: Some (Iranian) policies need to be reconsidered
Fereydoun Majlessi, a former Iranian diplomat in Washington, told The Compatriot's reporter (Hammihan):
"Mr Zarif, in the various administrations he has served, has always tried to bring an isolated Iran back into the international arena. At one point he succeeded in lifting the international sanctions imposed on Iran by the United Nations, but now a situation has arisen in which the Western world has lost confidence in Iran. It has become difficult for Iran to return to the international arena through talks and diplomacy. At that time, the JCPOA was agreed in order to guarantee Israel's security on the sidelines, so that one day Israel's existence would not be threatened by this programme. However, after the openings that followed the JCPOA, the companies that came to Iran and the exchanges that took the first steps, some insiders decided to disrupt this agreement. When a missile with the address of its intended recipient was launched into the air, this agreement also collapsed before Trump could even enter the arena of American politics".
Majlessi further recalled:
"The nuclear agreement’s goal was to put aside this declaration of war and create a peaceful situation in the region that would also benefit Iran. That was the aim of the agreement. But now the situation has changed. Now there is a choice. Either a big war or peace. In a big war, the side that is strong wins and dictates its terms.”
Responding to the fact that Zarif's plan recommends changes in the Middle East, or in other words a skinning of current policies, the foreign policy analyst said:
"There is no doubt that Iran should reconsider or skin some policies. Iran should accept that it should not have been so involved in the Israeli issue. It is a conflict that has been going on for decades and we are now witnessing part of its outcome. The essence of this conflict is related to Israel and Palestine, and at a higher level to the Arab-Israeli conflict. Iran should reach the point where it is enough to pay for this issue. Iran should choose Iran. There is no question of priorities here. It should choose Iran. The truth is that when our people are so involved in the problem, they do not care much about what is happening 2,000 kilometres away. People want comfort, not war. I repeat, we should pay attention to Iran first and reconsider some issues.”
Mohsen Pakayin: The MWADA (Amity) Plan is in line with the principles of the Iranian Revolution, with the international principles and with the region’s interests
Mohsen Pakayin, former Iranian ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan, analysing Zarif's Amity Plan for The Compatriot (Hammihan), said:
"The structure of this plan is a completely correct plan based on the principles and foundations of the revolution, the Islamic Republic and international principles. This means that countries recognise territorial integrity and national sovereignty. There should be no interference in the internal affairs of other countries, and relations between Islamic countries should be based on mutual respect. These principles and axes should be accepted by the countries mentioned in the plan and normalisation of relations between the parties should take place. These countries have a lot in common and relations between them can be strengthened on the basis of these principles. The establishment of a non-aggression pact or the implementation of the Hormuz Peace Initiative (HOPE) are very positive events.”
He added:
"Discussion of joint regional security was and is one of the Islamic Republic's basic ideas. Iran seeks regional security and its management by regional countries without foreign interference. The implementation and operationalisation of this idea is in the interest of the region. Islamic countries have the material, armament and defence capabilities to ensure regional security, freedom of energy transfer and other areas. Amity is a good name for this idea. Because it is a common concept among Islamic countries.”
The foreign policy analyst noted:
"The implementation of this plan requires a very big, strong and long diplomatic work. Because there are a lot of differences between these 10 countries. The aim is for these 10 countries to be able to reduce their differences, to stand together and ultimately the plan seems to be in line with the negation of the existence of the Israeli regime. We can say that the plan is to oppose the normalisation of this regime's relations with the Arab countries and, in fact, to oppose the American Abraham agreements. They will definitely negotiate with their allies and intervene diplomatically. We must also intervene diplomatically and forcefully and see how we can move forward.”