IFP Exclusive

Former FM Zarif: Surging migration from Iran can’t be reversed by officials’ hopes, dreams

Iran’s former foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the influx of immigration from Iran is a bitter reality that cannot be stopped or even slowed down by only ‘hoping and dreaming.’

Addressing a gathering at the Iranian House of Humanities Thinkers on migration of experts and professionals from Iran, Zarif said the problem started after the ‘people-oriented’ policies set in the post-Islamic Revolution era were replaced by ‘tool-oriented’ policies.

The former top diplomat said, “Development should be human-centered and human beings are at the center of development,” reminding, “Those who resisted during the (Iran-Iraq) war, those ones who resisted against the (US-led Western) sanctions, and those who prevented the 2002 war in Iraq from coming to Iran were the people, not the tools.”

Zarif noted that the country saw signs of reverse immigration of the elites in 2015, giving the credit partly to former vice president for science and technology Sorena Sattari, under then president Hassan Rouhani, ‘only by creating hope’ among the Iranian migrants.

“Unfortunately, with a consistent policy, we build up despair and humility in this country,” he said.

Although no official figures have been released on the migration from Iran, some reports indicate that the country ranks high in terms of the number of migrants.

IFP Editorial Staff

The IFP Editorial Staff is composed of dozens of skilled journalists, news-writers, and analysts whose works are edited and published by experienced editors specialized in Iran News. The editor of each IFP Service is responsible for the report published by the Iran Front Page (IFP) news website, and can be contacted through the ways mentioned in the "IFP Editorial Staff" section.

Recent Posts

Unscheduled visit by Qatari prime minister to Tehran sparks speculation

Reports emerged by Iranian daily Donya-e Eqtesad suggest that the Qatari Prime Minister and Minister…

7 hours ago

ICC issues arrest warrant for Netanyahu, Gallant for ‘war crimes’ in Gaza

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,…

8 hours ago

Iran to respond to Europe’s “non-technical” move: Foreign Minister

As France, Germany, and the United Kingdom submit an anti-Iran draft resolution to the International…

8 hours ago

President Pezeshkian criticizes western hypocrisy on human rights

During his visit to Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered sharp criticism…

8 hours ago

Nearly 90 killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza

Israel has unleashed a series of air attacks on the Gaza Strip that killed nearly…

9 hours ago

Anti-Iran human rights resolution at UNGA politically-motivated: Spokesman

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has censured as politically-motivated and unjustified the adoption of a…

9 hours ago