War or peace? The final solution!
Etemad Newspaper spoke with Fereydoun Majlessi, a former diplomat, to assess the current situation facing the Iranian and American negotiating teams in light of recent interactions.
Etemad Online Newspaper, 3 June 2025
This analysis by Fereydoun Majlessi was published shortly before the 12 June 2025 resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which found that Iran had failed to fulfil its international obligations regarding its nuclear programme. In this article, Majlessi sets out the dilemma facing the Islamic Republic’s ruling elite and argues that Iran should act before the IAEA resolution is passed, as there is an increasing risk of military conflict thereafter. Majlessi also points out that “if military conflict occurs instead of an agreement being reached, current opportunities will be lost and the infrastructure necessary for any future understanding will be destroyed”.
Majlessi stated in a talk with Etemad Online that Tehran is forced to either move towards renouncing hostilities or prepare for a possible military conflict if it does not choose this option.
The main points of Mr Majlessi’s message are as follows:
We are now at a point where there is a possibility of both a military confrontation and peace. The Europeans are in the same situation. They have spent millions, even hundreds of millions of dollars, and deployed forces around Iran;
Europe is also deeply concerned about the continuation of sanctions on Iran, as this would mean losing large markets and handing them over to China;
Tehran will either have to move towards withdrawal from the conflict or be prepared to enter into a possible military conflict;
In peaceful conditions, accepting the proposed plans, which often favour Iran, could pave the way for an acceptable agreement;
The upcoming negotiations are an opportunity for Iran to reach a peaceful agreement that takes the rights of the people into account. The main concern is what will happen if this opportunity is missed. None of the Iranian people want such conditions;
Iran should use its leverage before the IAEA resolution is passed because, once it is, even if Tehran wants to withdraw from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), this decision will be ineffective and have many consequences against the broad coalition that has formed around the country. Withdrawing from the NPT and activating the trigger mechanism would practically mean declaring war and entering a stage of possible military conflict;
If military conflict occurs instead of an agreement being reached, current opportunities will be lost and the infrastructure necessary for any future understanding will be destroyed.