In October 2023, I met an Iranian diplomat, and we had a discussion about Iran’s nuclear file. From that conversation, I drew several observations regarding Iranian foreign policy in general, which are as follows:
They shape their foreign policy through a clear vision of the West as an enemy; they explicitly and firmly refer to the West as such. Starting from this central premise, all their external movements are built on practical action aimed at confronting the hostile West within their geographic, regional, and international context.
Meanwhile, Arab discourse—including Algeria’s—condemns what it calls “Iranian interference” in various Arab countries, from Lebanon to Iraq. Yet criticism from the Arab fragmentation system is hardly surprising, for these states ignore—intentionally or otherwise—that Iranian foreign policy is set by the Supreme Leader, who views the Arab and Islamic world as a natural sphere of Iranian influence, based on the idea that an Islamic state recognizes no borders. Thus, they support any force whose program aligns with the objectives of Iranian foreign policy.
The Iranians see it as their right, as Muslims, to support any orientation resisting the arrogant West—and this is hardly surprising. How can we condemn them while we ourselves remain the submissive victims of that same hostile West?
Let me mention something the Iranian diplomat said: *“In Iran, the religious scholars are fully convinced that the West is the absolute enemy—never trustworthy and never safe.”* Well, if this is their conviction, then naturally their foreign policy is extremely cautious toward a West that has economically cut them off for more than forty years, pushed their people into hunger and poverty, and still refuses to recognize their right to a peaceful nuclear program.
I will say it clearly: the religious scholars of Iran are right. An enemy is an enemy, and will remain an enemy. There are no genuine interests to be shared with an enemy; that is an illusion sold to their peoples by the Arab fragmentation regimes—and the masses have believed it. Even Iran’s signing of the 2015 nuclear agreement was not an attempt to seek common interests with the arrogant West, but a calculated internal move allowing Iran enough time to advance its nuclear program.
As for Algeria’s foreign policy, it advocates peaceful coexistence, respect for the sovereignty of all states, and a near-sacred reverence for international legitimacy. It believes that an enemy is not truly an enemy, but merely a “difficult partner.” With such a policy—how can I describe it? Forgive me: Iran’s policy is far superior. They call the enemy by his name, and by doing so, they freed themselves from the complex of dependency on the West, especially in the field of military science. But as for us…
