Iran: a mediator on the mediations • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Conflict Mediation: The process of facilitating dialogue between opposing parties to reach a resolution.
• Backchannel Diplomacy: Unofficial, private communication channels used to build trust and explore solutions outside of formal public negotiations.
• "Peace Through Strength": A geopolitical doctrine advocating for security via total military and regional domination.
• "Peace Through Justice": A framework emphasizing the recognition of equality and the rights of the "other" as the foundation for sustainable peace.
• Just War Theory: A doctrine of military ethics that defines the moral conditions under which a war can be initiated and conducted.
• Rapport: The essential human connection and mutual understanding between negotiators required to move toward durable agreements.

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1. Significance of Current Negotiations

The speaker, Oliver McTernan, identifies the face-to-face nature of the current talks as a "significant breakthrough." However, he cautions against excessive optimism, noting that previous attempts at progress were derailed by external attacks. He emphasizes that from the Iranian perspective, there is currently "zero trust," which serves as a major barrier to any immediate, durable agreement.

2. Methodology of Mediation

McTernan outlines several critical components for successful mediation:

• Privacy and Confidentiality: Negotiations must be shielded from "running commentary" to allow parties the space to think and deliberate.
• Perspective Taking: Mediators must ensure parties move beyond merely listening to truly understanding the "clash of perspectives."
• Patience and Cultural Awareness: McTernan contrasts the Iranian approach—which he describes as "corporate" and requiring time to see the "end product"—with the American approach, which he characterizes as "hammer and makers" (rushing for quick results).
• The Human Factor: Building personal rapport between negotiators is essential. He cites the successful relationship between Mohammad Zarif and John Kerry during the JCPOA negotiations as a model for how personal connection can drive momentum.

3. Geopolitical Challenges and Motivations

• Conflicting Interests: McTernan argues that the current negotiations are complicated by the domestic political needs of the leaders involved. He suggests that President Trump may be seeking a "win" for midterm elections, while Prime Minister Netanyahu may perceive the continuation of the war as beneficial to his own reelection prospects.
• The "Peace Through Strength" Doctrine: McTernan critiques the current reliance on this doctrine, labeling it "unsustainable." He references historical precedents, such as Alexander the Great’s campaign in Gaza, to argue that total domination is historically impossible to maintain.
• The Role of Moral and Legal Norms: A significant concern raised is the absence of legal and moral frameworks in current discourse. McTernan warns that ignoring the "rule-based order" established post-WWII and the principles of "Just War" risks leading the world into a "very, very dark place."

4. The Role of Moral Voices

The discussion touches upon the influence of religious leaders, specifically the Pope, in challenging the rhetoric of war.

• Conscientious Objection: McTernan highlights the tension between military duty and moral conscience. He references the Nuremberg principles, asserting that "following orders is no justification for war crimes," and suggests that soldiers should have the right to exercise moral objection to unjust actions.

5. Synthesis and Conclusion

The main takeaway from McTernan’s analysis is that while face-to-face dialogue is a positive step, a durable agreement is unlikely without a fundamental shift in approach. He advocates for:

1. Moving away from "Peace Through Strength" toward a framework of "Peace Through Justice," which recognizes the equality of all parties.
2. Re-integrating legal and moral norms into the negotiation framework.
3. Allowing sufficient time for rapport to develop, rather than rushing for political optics.

McTernan concludes that without these shifts, the current negotiations risk being superficial, failing to address the root causes of the conflict or the long-term stability of the region.