Ex-Iranian FM's Remarks on Ambassadors as Quds Force Reps Spark Controversy
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
A video of former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif stating ambassadors act as Quds Force representatives has caused controversy in Iran. Zarif explained this designation applies when countries are viewed as threats. A former Revolutionary Guards official confirmed that ambassadors must align with the "Axis of Resistance" and coordinate against Israel, suggesting purely diplomatic approaches are insufficient for success.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif stated ambassadors represent the Quds Force in threat-perceived countries.
- Zarif's May 2025 remarks resurfaced, sparking debate on Iranian diplomacy's link to the Revolutionary Guards.
- A former IRGC official confirmed ambassadors must align with the "Axis of Resistance."
- The official linked ambassadorial roles to coordinating against Israel.
- He suggested diplomats focused solely on diplomacy would not succeed in these posts.
A resurfaced video of a speech by former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, originally delivered in May 2025, has reignited debate in Iran regarding the connection between Iranian diplomacy and the Revolutionary Guards.
In the video, Zarif stated that Iranian ambassadors in countries like Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq are representatives of the Quds Force because Iran perceives these nations as threats. He elaborated that if the approach towards a region is threat-focused, the ambassador should act as a Quds Force representative, whereas an opportunity-focused approach would necessitate an ambassador acting as a businessman and diplomat.
Responding to the controversy, a former senior official in the Revolutionary Guards and current member of the Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee, Mohammad Kothari, did not deny Zarif's assertions. Kothari argued in an interview with Insaf News that diplomats who operate solely within the diplomatic sphere would not succeed in their roles. He emphasized that ambassadors must align with the objectives of the "Axis of Resistance," understand its policies, and coordinate with it.
Kothari further linked this to actions against Israel, stating that in light of "crimes by the regime occupying Jerusalem," ambassadors in these countries should be capable of coordinating efforts against the "occupying regime." While not directly confirming IRGC involvement in ambassador selection, he clarified that the Foreign Ministry vets and chooses ambassadors, implying a coordination process that considers these strategic alignments.
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