Zarif's Davos remarks ignite political firestorm in Tehran

Mohammad Javad Zarif, a top presidential aide, has sparked a political firestorm in Tehran with remarks made at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, drawing criticism from hardliners who argue that his comments portray Iran as weak.

After Zarif suggested the country was more open to international diplomacy under the new presidency, including with its archenemy the US, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Parliament, warned officials to tread carefully in their public statements to avoid emboldening adversaries.

Ghalibaf said that projecting a perception of weakness from Iran’s leadership could prompt “miscalculations by the incoming US administration and worsen economic pressures.”

Iran faces a serious economic crisis, expected to get worse if US President Donald Trump puts more sanctions pressure. As a result, debate is now raging in Tehran as Iran's Supreme Leader has not authorized any new negotiations.

Zarif, a former foreign minister and now Iran's Vice-President for Strategic Affairs, stirred controversy when he suggested in a Wednesday interview with CNN host Fareed Zakaria that if conservative politician Saeed Jalili had been elected president instead of Masoud Pezeshkian last July, a major war might have been underway in the region.

Zarif’s attempt to portray Iran as seeking de-escalation and potentially relaxing hijab laws backfired, drawing heavy criticism from both the Iranian public for denying pressure on women, and officials. A senior official called for his immediate arrest.

Hardliners have launched an online petition urging the IRGC Intelligence Organization to arrest Zarif immediately over his hijab remarks, which they claim amount to an effort for regime change. Nearly 55,000 people have signed the petition so far.

Ahmad Khatami, a senior Friday prayer leader, has also criticized the idea of US-Iran negotiations, describing them as “a tactic to counter the revolution.”

The conservative Kayhan newspaper and figures close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei amplified the critiques, with some calling for Zarif’s prosecution.

Conservatives Denounce Zarif’s Tone

Zarif’s acknowledgment that Iran no longer harshly enforces the hijab sparked particular outrage among hardliners. Mohammad Manan Raisi, a representative from Qom accused Zarif on Sunday of violating the country’s laws and disrespecting religious mandates.

“This individual has brazenly mocked God’s explicit command at an international forum,” Raisi said, referencing Zarif’s comment about unveiled women in Tehran and saying the government has relaxed hijab enforcement in Iran.

Raisi also criticized institutional inaction, saying that efforts to address Zarif’s remarks had stalled.

The Ham Mihan newspaper, however, defended Zarif’s remarks, saying that Fareed Zakaria's question was based on the premise that the presence or absence of moderates in the political structure of the Islamic Republic makes no difference, and Zarif sought to refute this notion.

The paper argued that Zarif’s engagement at Davos sought to portray Iran as a rational actor committed to international norms, despite significant internal and external challenges.

Domestic Debate on Negotiations

Citing European officials, Axios recently reported that Iran may be signaling openness to a new agreement distinct from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Despite this, opposition to dialogue with the US remains fierce among hardliners.

Fatemeh Mohajerani, the Government Spokeswoman speaking to ILNA, sought to assuage concerns about negotiations on Sunday, emphasizing that decisions on critical issues like the nuclear program are made within the Supreme National Security Council.

“We assure concerned individuals that decision-making in the country follows a completely rational and well-established process,” she said.

Zarif’s attempt to position Iran as a cooperative global player has drawn fire from conservatives who view his comments as signaling capitulation. Critics argue that such rhetoric undermines the nation’s revolutionary ideals, while supporters see it as a pragmatic effort to mitigate international isolation.