The 10th Mediterranean Dialogues took place in Rome from 25-27 November 2024. The event, organized by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI), brought together a fascinating mix of leaders. Among them were the Italian President, foreign ministers from Italy, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, India, and the UAE, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, and representatives from academia, media, business, and civil society. I had the privilege of speaking in a session titled "How to Engage Iran?" where we tackled the complex task of finding ways to integrate Iran into both regional and global systems.

Iran’s Regional and Global Challenges
 

Iran’s relationship with its neighbours and the West is, to put it mildly, complicated. The list of challenges is long: escalating tensions with Israel, backing militias aligned with its “Axis of Resistance,” the harsh suppression of protests following Mahsa Amini’s death, and its ever-advancing nuclear program. These issues have made Tehran a persistent challenge for the West.

That said, the election of reformist President Masoud Bazshkian in July 2024 brought a glimmer of hope. His victory has been seen by some as a potential opening for better dialogue with the West. But hopes are tempered by reality—Iran’s internal policies and regional strategies continue to be major obstacles.

Western leaders are left grappling with some tough questions:

• How can Iran be engaged in a region that grows more complex by the day?
• Can years of distrust between Iran and the West be overcome?
• And is there a way to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions, regional influence, and human rights record without deep compromise?

Human Rights: A Persistent Barrier
 

Regarding Iran, human rights have always been a sticking point. The West has imposed sanctions on Iran for decades, targeting abuses, nuclear activities, and, more recently, military support for Russia. Yet these measures have rarely forced real change.

Consider the 2015 nuclear deal: European countries rushed to strike business deals with Iran, conveniently sidelining its worsening human rights record. More recently, sanctions aimed at supporting women and free-expression advocates have had little impact. Instead, Iran has turned human rights dialogue with Europe into an opportunity, using it to secure economic and security benefits without making meaningful reforms.

Interestingly, European outrage over Iran’s human rights abuses often spikes only when Tehran’s actions, like supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine, directly threaten European security.

Reformist Leadership: Real Progress or Clever Posturing?
 

There’s cautious optimism that President Bazshkian’s reformist stance could improve Iran’s human rights record and remove a major roadblock to dialogue. But so far, his actions haven’t lived up to the hype.

Take his campaign promise to disband the morality police. It hasn’t happened. In fact, stricter hijab laws were approved by the Guardian Council in October 2024 and await parliamentary endorsement. Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Guard has intensified enforcement with little pushback from the reformist president.

This suggests Bazshkian’s election may be less about genuine reform and more about optics—giving the West the impression of change without actually challenging the regime’s hardline stance. His approach seems especially calculated against the backdrop of regional crises like the Gaza war and ongoing tensions in Lebanon and Syria.

The Path to Regional and Global Integration
 

For the West, meaningful engagement with Iran starts with addressing its military support for Russia. Iran understands this and may prioritize negotiations on that issue to open doors for broader talks.

Regionally, the problem lies in Iran’s reliance on proxies and its meddling in Arab states’ affairs, which undermines trust and stability. While there have been some signs of rapprochement—like improved ties with Saudi Arabia and the UAE and cautious engagement with Egypt—Tehran’s behaviour often creates more problems than solutions.

A lasting transformation of the Middle East from a conflict zone to a cooperative region requires mutual respect and recognition of each state’s interests. Arab states have taken steps toward de-escalation, but Iran needs to reciprocate with concrete actions. Its habit of linking every regional issue to its larger standoff with the United States only deepens mistrust.

Unless Iran shifts its approach—prioritizing cooperation over competition and respecting its neighbours’ sovereignty—regional integration and stability will remain elusive goals.

*Assistant professor at New Giza University and senior researcher at the Egyptian Centre for Strategic Studies (ECSS).

The article is published in collaboration with Independent Arabia.