Iran’s Presidential Social Advisor Calls Negotiation a “Sacred Act,” Not Betrayal

Ali Rabiei, Iran’s presidential social advisor, emphasized that negotiation is not a betrayal but a sacred act. “A country that has been defeated surrenders; a country that has not been defeated negotiates,” he stated.

According to Saed News citing IRNA, Rabiei made these remarks on Tuesday during a Social Solidarity and National Defense session focused on “Society and Domestic and Foreign News,” held at the Islamic Republic News Agency. He said: “The global power system is so unjust that the sense of ethics and humanity diminishes day by day. The world continues to act according to the theory of self-interest, even if millions of people are killed, and the deaths of children in Gaza mean nothing.”

He added: “During the 12 days of the imposed war, every night I thought about how alone we were. We have no one besides God and ourselves. How cruel the world is that a person remains alone.”

Rabiei, president of the Iranian Association for Cultural and Communication Studies, noted that in the current situation three steps must be taken. First, reliance on society and the people, who gain meaning when represented through elites, reference groups, social institutions, and mediators.

He continued: “Second, we must remain strong. Having power is essential for survival and to prevent harm. But what kind of power? Our economic power should be strong enough to make ten countries dependent on us. I also believe in missile and other forms of power, but we must possess influence both politically and economically in the region.”

The presidential advisor added: “Third, we need to understand how to become strong within this unjust system and secure the rights of the people. This system requires strategic players. Some speak as if war is sacred and negotiation is betrayal. What kind of false dichotomy is this?”

Emphasizing his point, Rabiei concluded: “Negotiation is not betrayal; it is a sacred act. A country that has been defeated surrenders; a country that has not been defeated negotiates.”