BEIRUT,
Lebanon -- With a president who denies the Holocaust and a looming showdown
over its nuclear ambitions, Iran has a serious image problem.
But while the world focuses on the antics of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,
an urbane, U.S.-educated diplomat is emerging as Iran's most effective
spokesman on its nuclear efforts. He is Javad Zarif, the Iranian ambassador
to the United Nations, and he's unlike most other officials in
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The UN Security Council called
on Iran last month to suspend its uranium enrichment activities by today.
But the UN atomic watchdog agency is expected to tell the council today
that Tehran is going ahead with its program, intensifying calls by the
United States and Europe for sanctions against Iran.
As the dispute moves into the council's hands, Zarif is poised to become
the public face of Iranian diplomacy.
After the council's appeal last month, Zarif quickly held a news conference
to explain his government's position. He stressed that while Iran is
willing to negotiate with the United Nations, it would not give up its
right to develop a peaceful nuclear energy program.
"Iran will want to cooperate with the international community, but it
does not accept pressure or intimidation," Zarif declared. "We
have made it clear at the highest levels of government that Iran does not
want nuclear weapons."
Unlike other Iranian officials, Zarif doesn't resort to anti-American
rhetoric in his pronouncements. And he's always looking for a good sound
bite, such as this one from his recent news conference: "Iran is a
country that is allergic to pressure and to threats."
"He's the most talented diplomat in the Iranian government," said
Karim Sadjadpour, an Iran analyst at the International Crisis Group, a
think tank that focuses on conflict resolution. "He could make a
difference in the nuclear negotiations."
Zarif, 46, is a veteran diplomat who was appointed in August 2002 as Iran's
top UN envoy by then-President Mohammad Khatami. Before that, Zarif served
for 10 years as Iran's deputy foreign minister for legal and international
affairs. From 1989 to 1992, he was the deputy UN ambassador.
While he has worked under three Iranian administrations, he is most closely
identified with the reformist camp led by Khatami. His reformer credentials
could pose problems for him under Ahmadinejad, the hard-line former mayor
of Tehran elected president last year.
Zarif survived a recent shake-up at the foreign ministry because of the
intervention of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader. "Khamenei
stepped in to prevent Ahmadinejad from replacing Zarif as UN
ambassador," said an Iranian official who spoke on the condition of
anonymity.
Although Zarif has a close relationship with Khamenei, the official said,
it is unclear whether the diplomat can influence Khamenei enough to change
the course of the nuclear showdown.
Fellow diplomats say Zarif is likely to tackle the crisis with a mix of
backroom dealing and public appeals.
"Javad is very good at explaining his government's position,
especially in difficult circumstances," said an Arab diplomat at the
United Nations who has worked with Zarif. "He knows how to use the UN
system."
One example of Zarif's diplomatic skill is on display every February, when
the Iranian Mission to the United Nations hosts a reception on the
anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which brought Ayatollah
Ruhollah Khomeini to power. The elegantly dressed Zarif stands at the door,
personally greeting every guest and chatting with him or her for a few
moments.
Zarif earned a doctorate in international law and policy from the
University of Denver. While working at the Iranian foreign ministry in the
1990s, he also taught courses on human rights, international law and
diplomacy at the University of Tehran.
The showdown over Iran's nuclear program could be Zarif's greatest
diplomatic challenge. Iran insists that all of its activities are legal and
that it wants to develop technology for nuclear energy, not weapons. But
the United States and Europe say Tehran is secretly developing an arms
program.
In its first move on the issue, the Security Council adopted a statement
last month calling on Iran to end its uranium enrichment - which can
produce fuel for nuclear reactors or material for bombs - and to cooperate
with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The statement, which was approved by all 15 council members, is not legally
binding and makes no reference to any consequences if Iran fails to comply.
There are persistent divisions among the five veto-wielding council members
about using economic sanctions or military action to force Iran to end its
uranium enrichment.
The United States, France and Britain are calling for tough measures, such
as sanctions, while Russia and China insist there is no evidence to show
Iran poses a threat to international security.
Zarif is likely to exploit these splits, and the IAEA's admission that Iran
has the right to develop nuclear energy.
"Iran insists on its right to have access to nuclear technology for
peaceful purposes," he said. "We will not abandon that
claim."
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