Former Iranian Foreign Minister M. Javad Zarif, writing in Foreign Affairs on April 3, 2026, argued that Iran should use what he described as its strong position in the war with the United States and Israel to seek a comprehensive peace agreement rather than continue fighting.
In the article, “How Iran Should End the War,” published by Foreign Affairs, Zarif said Iran did not begin the conflict but has managed to withstand weeks of bombardment while preserving its leadership and responding militarily. According to Zarif in Foreign Affairs, some Iranians want to continue the war until the United States and Israel are punished, but he warned that further fighting would only bring more civilian deaths, infrastructure damage, and regional instability.
Instead, Zarif wrote in Foreign Affairs that Tehran should “declare victory” and push for a negotiated settlement. He proposed that Iran could accept limits on its nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the lifting of all sanctions. He also suggested a mutual nonaggression pact between Iran and the United States, along with expanded economic ties.
According to M. Javad Zarif’s Foreign Affairs article, distrust toward Washington remains deep in Iran because of years of failed diplomacy and broken promises. Zarif pointed to U.S. actions under several administrations, including the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal and the continuation of sanctions, as reasons many Iranians oppose fresh talks. Even so, he maintained that ending the war through diplomacy would better protect Iranian lives and resources than prolonging the conflict.
Zarif wrote in Foreign Affairs that a simple cease-fire would likely be unstable because it would leave the core disputes unresolved. He instead called for a broader peace agreement that addresses nuclear issues, sanctions relief, regional security, and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Among the main points in the Foreign Affairs essay by Zarif are Iran’s commitment to never seek nuclear weapons, reducing enriched uranium stockpiles, and accepting stronger international monitoring. In return, he said the United States should remove sanctions, allow Iran to sell oil freely, and support Iran’s reintegration into the global economy.
Zarif also proposed the creation of a regional nuclear fuel consortium involving Iran, neighboring Gulf states, and major powers such as China, Russia, and the United States. He further called for a wider regional security framework including Gulf countries and other major states to guarantee nonaggression and freedom of navigation.
In addition, Zarif argued in Foreign Affairs that the United States should help finance reconstruction in Iran after the damage caused by the wars of 2025 and 2026. He said such costs would likely be lower than the cost of continuing a long and unpopular war.
In conclusion, M. Javad Zarif wrote in Foreign Affairs that despite deep mistrust on both sides, the conflict has created an opportunity for a lasting settlement. He said history would favor leaders who choose peace over prolonged war.