Iranian Foreign Minister (FM) Mohammad Javad Zarif is at the centre of political controversy over a leaked audiotape of an interview in which he is critical of former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) chief Gen. Qassem Soleimani’s interference in Iran’s foreign affairs. On Tuesday, Zarif was summoned by the Iranian parliament (Majlis) to answer for his actions amid increasing calls by Iranian lawmakers for his impeachment. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, however, defended his FM by saying that the leak was a ploy to undermine the ongoing nuclear talks in Vienna.
In the tape, which was leaked by a media outlet with close ties to Saudi Arabia, Zarif accuses Soleimani of taking unilateral decisions to undermine Iran’s diplomatic efforts to reach a nuclear deal with the United States (US) and world powers in 2015. The minister also said that Soleimani worked with Russia to derail the JCPOA and that his policies in Syria were a setback to Iran’s interests. “In the Islamic Republic, military field rules,” Zarif said, adding, “I have sacrificed diplomacy for the military field rather than the field servicing diplomacy.”
Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike last year, is a highly revered figure in Iran. His assassination was met with calls for revenge on the US by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and people from all over Iran gathered to mourn his death.
In this respect, Zarif’s leaked tape has created a political storm in the country. National Security Commission spokesperson Abolfazi Amoei told Iranian media that he has asked Zarif to attend the first meeting of the Commission. “Offering explanations about the leaked file as well as responses to the functions of the foreign ministry are the main subjects of the meeting,” Amoei said.
Hardliners in Iran have called for the impeachment of Zarif, labelling his comments as “treason.” They have also blamed Rouhani’s government for a lack of faith in the Islamic Republic’s founding ideals. Member of Parliament (MP) Mahmoud Ahmadi Bighash said, “The cheap and anti-national security comments made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs shows the depth of the treason of government and its supporters.”
However, Rouhani responded to criticism against Zarif by saying that the timing of the leak was intentional and meant to sabotage the ongoing talks in Vienna aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. “Right at the juncture when Vienna is on the precipice of succeeding,” Rouhani said. Hardliners in Iran have been critical of reviving the nuclear deal and have blamed Rouhani’s administration for Iran’s economic woes.
Zarif, for his part, expressed regret over the tapes which has caused “domestic infighting” and said that his “deep friendship and cooperation” with Gen. Soleimani lasted for two decades until his martyrdom. He stressed that the peace in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as the defeat of the Islamic State (IS) was due to the “wisdom and courage” of the slain General. The Iranian FM also took to Instagram to pay his respects to the memory of Soleimani.
Iran FM Zarif’s Leaked Audio Tape Critical of IRGC Triggers Calls for Impeachment
Zarif was summoned by the Iranian parliament in relation to the leaked tape.
April 29, 2021
Iranian FM Mohammad Javad Zarif at Iran's parliament. SOURCE: ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH/EPA