Nabil Fahmy: No War, No Peace in Conflict with Iran

Cairo – Agencies: Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy stated that ignoring Iran is not a realistic option in the region, calling for direct and clear dialogue with Tehran. He said, “Iran will not disappear, and we must talk to it, frankly.” In an interview with Qatar’s Al Jazeera channel, Fahmy described interference in the internal affairs of other countries as illegitimate, stating that his stance toward such policies is “extremely negative.” He added, “Any interference in the internal affairs of another country is, for me, illegitimate.”

Regarding the US-Iran conflict, Fahmy believed that the confrontation would not end with a military resolution, remaining open between escalation and de-escalation. He said, “Neither war nor peace; no one will win, and the issue will not be resolved by military force.” He added that Iran cannot confront the United States militarily, so it resorts to targeting economic interests to influence US policy. In his view, the confrontation has shifted from a traditional military struggle to a long-term economic war.

On the issue of Yemen and the repercussions of tensions in the Red Sea, Fahmy linked a state’s ability to manage its affairs with the reduced likelihood of external interference in its crises. He said that reliance on self-sufficiency, at both the state and regional levels, limits the scope of influence of regional and international actors. He added that Iran is one example of such interference, but emphasized that the landscape is broader than Tehran alone, being linked to state weakness and declining capacity to build institutions and set priorities. He stated, “The greater the self-reliance in any country or region, the less external interference we see,” stressing that resolving the region’s crises requires strengthening the nation-state, not merely managing the outcomes of conflicts.

On the Syrian challenge, the Arab League Secretary-General said the main challenge facing Syria is not related to its relations with Arab states, but rather to reclaiming its territories, activating its international relations, rebuilding the state, and ensuring internal stability. He added that Arab states treat Syria as a member state of the Arab League, noting that its relations with its Arab neighborhood are moving in a positive direction. He said, “Frankly, the challenge for Syria is not with the Arab world; the challenge for Syria lies in liberating its land and activating its international relations.”

He pointed out that discussions within the League regarding Syria focused on “Syrian sovereignty,” “rebuilding the Syrian state,” “restoring stability within Syria,” as well as the file of Syrians abroad. He added, “The number of Syrians outside the borders is very large; they must be allowed to return and empowered.”

Fahmy spoke of the necessity of Israel’s withdrawal from the Golan, stating that Israeli occupation of Syrian territories expanded following the political changes in Syria, according to his description. He added that the positions and clarifications of the new Syrian administration regarding its orientations helped broaden positive Arab engagement with Syria, noting that political and economic interactions are improving. He said, “The problem is not with the Arabs; we are moving on a positive track.”

Regarding Lebanon, Fahmy prioritized consolidating sovereign decision-making in the hands of the state while avoiding pushing the country into internal conflict. He said, “Sovereign decision-making must belong to the state, and at the same time, the state must preserve its unity and avoid internal conflicts.” However, he stressed that the approach to the Lebanese situation should not be reduced to Hezbollah’s weapons, without also considering the ongoing Israeli occupation. He emphasized that the problem is not solely with Hezbollah, considering it one of the issues, and stated that the problem “lies in the Israeli occupation, and we must find a solution for this.”