The more I learn about Iran, the more I realise how little the world understands one of its greatest civilizations. My fascination with Persian culture began in childhood when I discovered that the name of Sultanate of Oman’s late Sultan Qaboos, meaning "the bright face," was derived from Shah Kavus, a legendary Persian ruler mentioned in Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh. This early interest led me to focus my college research on modern Iran, culminating in an unforgettable historical journey through Shiraz, Takht Jamshid/Persepolis, Isfahan, and Tehran.
With the tragic demise of Iranian President Dr Ebrahim Raisi and key leaders, including Foreign Minister Hussain Amir Abdullaahian, may their souls rest in peace, in a helicopter crash, it's time for a paradigm shift in our approach to Iran. The world must move from a stance of confrontation to a strategic and socioeconomic partnership - a 'Millennia Deal.'
Historically, peace and prosperity in the world have been elusive while its centre, Iran, faces isolation and sanctions. The current global landscape, marked by a climate crisis, pandemics, and rising living costs, demands a cooperative effort leveraging global knowledge to innovate solutions for future generations. Decades-long containment strategies have failed to deliver sustainable peace or prosperity in one of the world's most strategic regions, Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA).
Iran's geopolitical position is crucial. It's isolation disrupts global trade and exacerbates economic challenges worldwide. To address the multifaceted crises we face, integrating Iran into the global community is not just beneficial but essential. This strategic integration can foster a collaborative environment, enabling the sharing of ideas and resources necessary to tackle global challenges.
An African proverb states, "When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers." Similarly, when the West conflicts with Iran, it is the people who suffer from lack of healthy relations and resource exchanges. The ongoing geopolitical tension disrupts the global flow of goods and services, contributing to the rising cost of living worldwide.
Socially, the continued fascination with Persian cuisine, carpets, cats, comedians and artists, like the late ustath Muhammad Reza Shajarian, contrasts sharply with the participation in sanctions that isolate Iran. This contradiction highlights a flawed strategy that has been counterproductive for decades. The 'Millennia Deal' would open the world to Iran, facilitating cultural exchange and economic cooperation, and mitigating Iran's disruptive regional interventions that foster mistrust and suffering.
The 'Millennia Deal' is not just a necessity but a moral imperative. It aims to restore faith in universal human values, currently undermined by political conflicts and injustices. The West's complicit support for Israeli occupation force’s genocide against Palestinians has further complicated the regional dynamics, making a new approach towards Iran even more critical.
By embracing a 'Millennia Deal,' the global community can pave the way for strategic and socioeconomic collaboration. This shift will not only enhance global stability but also promote a just and equitable world order. Iran's integration into the international fold can catalyse a new era of peace, prosperity, and mutual respect, benefiting all of humanity.
In conclusion, the time has come for a bold, transformative approach to Iran. The 'Millennia Deal' offers a pathway to strategic and socioeconomic benefits that can address the pressing challenges of our time. It is an opportunity to forge a new relationship with one of the world's oldest civilisations, ensuring a better future for generations to come.
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