Martyred Leader championed independent foreign policy, good neighborly relations: Former FM

By Alireza Hashemi

The martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, placed political independence at the heart of his foreign policy vision while emphasizing the importance of cultivating good relations with neighboring countries and remaining vigilant against the designs of global hegemonic powers, according to former Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Ali Akbar Salehi.

In an interview with the Press TV website, Dr. Salehi, who also has served as head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, offered a detailed reflection on the martyred Leader's diplomatic vision, drawing on personal memories from his years in office.

Dr. Salehi emphasized that Ayatollah Khamenei viewed the country's liberation from the political orbit of global powers as the "foremost achievement of the Islamic Revolution."

"He attached special importance to preserving the country's political independence," Dr. Salehi said, adding that the Leader consistently stressed the framework of dignity, wisdom and expediency as the guiding principles for realizing that independence.

Goodwill toward neighbors

The former top Iranian diplomat recalled a meeting during the Arab Spring, when he briefed the Leader on developments in the region and sought guidance regarding a request from the ruler of a neighboring country facing internal unrest – a country that did not have very positive relations with Iran at the time.

"The Leader said, and I quote exactly: 'If they seek your help, help them,'" Dr. Salehi said, describing the response as evidence of the Leader's goodwill toward neighboring countries and his desire to help resolve crises, ease the suffering of their people, and address misunderstandings arising from grievances.

Dr. Salehi noted that the martyred Leader's foreign policy vision rested on three interconnected pillars: preserving Iran's independence, extending goodwill and stability to neighbors, and maintaining constant vigilance against the deceit of hegemonic powers.

"The view of our great martyred Leader toward foreign policy was safeguarding independence for our dear country Iran, goodwill and stability for neighbors, and simultaneously drawing attention to maintaining vigilance and intelligence against the conspiracies and deceit of global hegemonic ill-wishers," Dr. Salehi told the Press TV website.

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Leader of the Islamic Revolution since 1989, was martyred on February 28, 2026, the first day of the US-Israeli war of aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The funeral ceremonies underway this week, described as the largest in Iran's modern history, have drawn millions of mourners and delegations from over 100 countries.

The burial is scheduled to take place at the holy shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad on July 9, in accordance with the martyred Leader's will.

Relations with the US

Dr. Salehi recalled a private meeting with the Leader during his tenure as the foreign minister, when he asked whether the absence of relations with the United States was a foregone conclusion.

"The Leader replied: 'We have no problem with having scientific or even economic relations with America, and if you can, develop them. Our problem is entering into political negotiations – now is not the time. When the time comes, I will announce it,'" Dr. Salehi recounted.

The former foreign minister said he reflected deeply on that answer and concluded that the Leader did not consider political relations a dead end but rather deferred them until Iran could engage from a position of political strength.

"He believed political engagement should occur only when the Islamic Republic possesses enough relative political power to enter negotiations from a position of equality," Dr. Salehi said, adding that this reflected the Leader's commitment to the country’s political independence through the principles of dignity, wisdom and expediency.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk