As the Factional Infighting Intensifies in Iran over foreign policy, politicians and analysts in the West try to understand Rouhani and Zarif’s strategy in nuclear negotiations and relation with the US. In this context, the reports about Zarif’s behind the door meeting with the members of Iranian parliament’s “Foreign Policy and National Security Committee” in early October become more important.

According to “Mehr” news agency, Zarif told the committee: “Islamic Republic of Iran has the power and capacity to challenge US and Israel in the international arena. To achieve this we must believe in the abilities of ourselves and of our diplomatic team. If we think that there is a unified voice in America, we are mistaken. By utilizing the opposing views in the US we can be the winners in the (diplomatic) scene, and, of course, we can take advantage of the Zionist regime’s weaknesses.”

In an interview with Fars news agency, Hossein Naghavi, the speaker of the parliament’s Committee described Zarif’s declaration to the members and stated:

“We consider enemies as enemies and believe that we should not let the Zionists (Israel) present themselves as victims. We believe the US is not a super-power and we can defeat US and Israel in the diplomatic arena. We should believe in the power and capacities of the revolution and the country. The United States and the Zionists want to show that Iran has no room to play. But we have both the power and the capacity. We know the rules of the game and we can play the best game.”

On October 8, the Center for Strategic Studies, affiliated with the office of President Rouhani hosted a group of prominent foreign policy experts to discuss President’s trip to New York and provide advisory recommendations. The group that was led by Rouhani’s chief of staff  Mohamad Nahavandian, recommended that the government should “try to enhance the influence and power of political forces in Washington that accept a nuclear Iran and believe that the US current policy of pressure against Iran should abandoned.”

The group also advised the government to use the American oil lobby to influence policy with Iran.

Hassan Dai (Daioleslam) is a human rights activist, political analyst and editor of the Iranian American Forum. He is well-published in Farsi and English and frequently appears as an expert guest on the Voice of America and major Persian language media.