From Law-Based Order to Force-Based Order: Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister at Unisa

In this diplomatic seminar hosted by the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs and UNISA’s Department of Institutional Advancement, His Excellency Dr Saeed Khatibzadeh, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran and President of the Institute for Political and International Studies, reflects on developments in West Asia and their implications for the global order. Speaking at the seminar titled Tectonic Shifts in Global Politics, Dr Khatibzadeh addresses Iran’s view of recent conflict in the region, the changing balance of power, diplomacy, international law, Palestine, BRICS, the Global South, and the future of multilateralism. He argues that the world has moved from a law-based international order to what he describes as a “force-based” order, while insisting that Iran remains committed to diplomacy, regional belonging and peaceful nuclear activity. The question-and-answer session, facilitated by Prof Boitumelo Senokoane, covers Venezuela, the historical roots of US–Iran tensions, the 1953 coup against Mohammad Mossadegh, the 1979 Iranian Revolution, nuclear weapons, allegations against Iran, Palestine, postcolonialism, BRICS Plus, alternative payment systems, reconstruction, energy, and the role of Africa in a changing global order. This seminar forms part of the Thabo Mbeki African School’s ongoing engagement with diplomacy, global governance, peace and security, and the transformation of international relations. Key themes: West Asia | Iran–South Africa relations | BRICS Plus | Global South | Palestine | International law | Multipolarity | Diplomacy | Nuclear policy | Postcolonialism Hashtags: #TectonicShifts #GlobalPolitics #WestAsia #Iran #SouthAfrica #BRICS #GlobalSouth #Diplomacy #InternationalRelations #UNISA #ThaboMbekiSchool 42:36 Deputy Minister Dr Saeed Khatibzadeh begins his address 44:24 Speaking as deputy minister, professor and think-tank president 45:02 Iran under attack: framing the conflict 47:21 From resistance to “all-out push back” 49:08 Why Iran? Negotiations, threat claims and diplomacy 52:12 Nuclear programme claims and weaponisation 53:18 “Peace through strength” and US hegemony 54:31 Strategic victory, resistance and resilience 56:17 Regime change, legitimacy and demonisation 57:32 Iran’s response and US bases in the region 59:16 Negotiations after the conflict 1:00:13 From law-based order to force-based order 1:01:58 Global transformation and Iran’s choice 1:02:46 Negotiations and the outcome of the battlefield 1:03:31 Diplomacy, dialogue and Iran’s regional role 1:04:14 Israel, Gaza and regional security 1:05:48 South Africa’s stance and Palestine 1:06:30 One-state solution and anti-apartheid framing 1:06:54 A new paradigm for West Asia 1:09:16 Transition to the Q&A session 1:11:00 Prof Boitumelo Senokoane opens the Q&A 1:13:37 Question on Venezuela and US power 1:14:48 Question on the historical roots of US–Iran tensions 1:16:02 Question on nuclear weapons and outreach to neighbours 1:16:52 Question on nuclear enrichment and allegations against Iran 1:17:45 Question on Global South security, AI and the oil economy 1:19:07 Question on colonial conquest, Palestine and the UN 1:21:11 Question on BRICS Plus and practical action 1:21:46 Question on reconstruction, BRICS currencies and Africa 1:23:03 Deputy Minister responds: Venezuela and international law 1:25:19 US–Iran relations, 1953 and oil geopolitics 1:29:08 The 1979 revolution and diplomatic rupture 1:31:57 Is the war over? Worst-case scenario analysis 1:33:46 Global South and BRICS as a necessity 1:35:12 Nuclear weapons: “The absolute answer is no” 1:36:21 Peaceful nuclear activity as Iran’s stated position 1:37:19 Response to “sponsor of terrorism” claims 1:39:35 Postcolonialism and South Africa’s influence 1:40:23 Ambassador Ebrahim Saley reflects on imperialism and the doctrine of discovery 1:46:17 Q&A closes and vote of thanks is introduced