MY experiences have taught me that achieving stability in West Asia, particularly the Persian Gulf region, require more than mere crisis management. It demands bold, visionary initiatives.
I propose the establishment of a Muslim West Asian Dialogue Association (MWADA) as the mechanism to achieve this transformation.
MWADA invites Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, (the future government of) Syria, Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen to engage in comprehensive negotiations.
Relevant envoys from the United Nations can take part too. A key priority is the establishment of immediate sustainable, permanent ceasefires in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen.
A non-aggression pact among MWADA states, coupled with collective regional monitoring, will help institutionalise stability and protect the region from external interference and internal strife.
Economic integration is also central to the vision. The lack of interdependence within West Asia stems from fragmented trade networks, insufficient attention to the development of intra-regional banking and payment mechanisms, political rivalries and a reliance on external markets.
A proposed MWADA Development Fund can finance critical infrastructure projects and governance reforms in Syria — as a basis for economic assistance — will promote accountability and lay the groundwork for a safe and stable country where women and minorities can thrive.
Post-Assad Syria presents a major challenge to us all. Unbridled Israeli aggression disregarding Syrian sovereignty, foreign interference undermining Syrian territorial integrity, horrifying scenes of violence and brutality reminiscent of Islamic State savagery, and ethnic and sectarian violence — which may lead to an all-out civil war — require the immediate attention of the proposed MWADA.
The humanitarian disaster in Palestine also remains critical for regional stability. MWADA must prioritise Palestinian self-determination and support just solutions while fully respecting the aspirations of the people.
This involves not just political solutions but also economic opportunities and the recognition of Palestinian rights. MWADA will provide fertile ground for infrastructure projects, from transport to energy pipelines and telecommunication networks.
These facilitate not only the movement of goods but also the exchange of energy, information and services. We in West Asia should understand that independence is intertwined with a country's share in the global value-added chain.
Energy-security guarantees present another opportunity for interdependence. Regional energy agreements ought to be aimed at safeguarding routes and exploring sustainable energy resources.
The vast untapped potential of the Iranian plateau and other terrains within the MWADA community suitable for solar and wind farms make co-operating to produce clean energy economically feasible, for the wider region and even beyond.
MWADA can also herald new regional co-operation on freedom of navigation, including joint maritime-security patrols. The region is home to strategic chokepoints including the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
The Hormuz Peace Endeavour or HOPE — introduced by Iran nearly five years ago represented a significant example of a regional initiative aimed at fostering peace and stability in the Hormuz community, bringing together many states.
That proposal can be given a new life under MWADA, primarily due to the much improved relations between Iran, the UAE and Saudi Arabia today.
A partnership between Iran and Saudi Arabia — two of the region's most influential powers — will play a crucial role. Unity and brotherhood among Shia and Sunni Muslims can counter the extremism and sectarian strife that have historically destabilised the region.
Working towards a region free from nuclear weapons and reviving the Iran nuclear deal (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action-JCPOA) are essential components of this vision.
The MWADA framework should also prioritise co-operation on cultural exchanges, water management, counter-terrorism and media campaigns that promote coexistence.
Over the past 45 years, my country has demonstrated remarkable resilience and self-sufficiency in security and defence, managing to survive and even thrive; not just without foreign assistance, but in spite of pressure from extra-regional powers.
The widely believed perception of Iran losing its arms in the region stems from a wrong assumption that Iran has had proxy-patron relationships with resistance forces.
Resistance has its roots in Israel's occupation of Arab lands and desecration of Islamic holy sites, apartheid, genocide and constant aggression against its neighbours. It existed before the Iranian revolution in 1979 and will continue as long as its root causes persist.
MWADA challenges us to reimagine the region not as a battleground but as a hub of mwada, amity and empathy, characterised by the pursuit of shared opportunities and collective prosperity.
* The writer is Iran's Vice President