Former Iranian FM Zarif urges peace with US, citing Trump’s “reckless aggression”

Former Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif expressed deep frustration over what he described as President Donald Trump’s “reckless aggression” while emphasizing that Iran’s national interests must drive any resolution to the ongoing conflict.

He elaborated on his proposal to end the ongoing war between Iran and the United States.

Zarif expressed a deep sense of personal conflict in publishing his peace plan.

“As an Iranian, outraged by Donald Trump’s reckless aggression and crude insults, yet proud of our armed forces and resilient people, I am torn about publishing this peace plan in Foreign Affairs,” Zarif wrote in a post on X. “Yet I’m convinced that war must end on terms consistent with Iran’s national interests.”

Zarif, who has held prominent positions as Iran’s Vice President, Foreign Minister, and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, argued that despite the challenges faced by Iran, the Islamic Republic has managed to maintain its position against relentless U.S. and Israeli airstrikes.

Hours after unveiling a bold peace proposal in a US based platform Foreign Affairs, Zarif stated, “Iran did not start this war, but after more than a month of fighting, it is clear Iran is winning. Despite continuous bombardment, we have defended our country, maintained leadership, and struck back at our aggressors.”

Despite Iran’s military successes, Zarif wrote in an article published in a US media that further combat would lead to the unnecessary destruction of civilian lives and infrastructure. He cautioned that escalating violence might spiral into a regional or even global conflict, especially with the growing international silence on U.S. actions, including the killing of nearly 170 schoolchildren on the first day of the war.

Zarif’s peace plan, which he outlined in his article, proposes a potential deal to end the conflict, stressing that Iran should use its current military advantage to bring about a diplomatic resolution. He suggested that Tehran could offer to place limits on its nuclear program and reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the removal of sanctions—a deal the U.S. had previously rejected but may now consider.

In addition, Zarif proposed a mutual non-aggression pact between the U.S. and Iran, in which both nations would agree to refrain from further hostilities. He argued that such a pact, combined with economic cooperation between the two countries, would allow Iran to focus on rebuilding its economy and improving the lives of its citizens.