Iran stands at a turning point.

Four years, Iran has tried to make itself feared. It built missiles. It threatened its neighbors. It pushed its power through armed groups. It tried to prove that might was enough.

Iran now has few real friends among its neighbors. Nations around it do not trust it. The world does not trust its promises. That is why sanctions remain. That is why every negotiation begins with suspicion. That is why Iran’s word must be rebuilt before Iran’s future can be rebilt

The first step is the nuclear threat.

Iran cannot expect the world to lift sanctions while it keeps its nuclear program. Trust does not come after reward. Trust comes first after action. Iran must act first.

Might can frighten a neighbor for a day. Trust can build friendship for generations.

If Iran gives up its nuclear and missile programs, the world will have a reason to believe in it again. Even the United Nations can reduce sanctions when Iran proves that its word can be trusted. But Iran must first convince the world by what it does, not by what it says.

Iran should understand this clearly: trust is worth more than might.

Might can launch missiles. Trust can open ports.

Might can bring sanctions. Trust can bring trade.

Might can make a nation feared. Trust can make a nation respected.

Iran must also understand that it is not the biggest bully in the Middle East. That road has failed. It has made Iran poorer, weaker, and more isolated. But Iran does not have to remain there.

If Iran chooses trust, it can become a great nation again. It can’t have trade. It can have friendship. It can have a future beyond war, sanctions, and suspicion.

But Iran must choose.

It can keep chasing might and remain alone.

Or it can choose trust and become the best nation in the Middle East again.

Iran and China

Iran should also think carefully about its relationship with China. I am not talking about selling oil to it . I am talking about what China expects in return. Dependence on China is danger.

For many years, China has been one of Iran’s most important customers for its oil. Everything China supplies comes with a price above what is paid. The invoice may say oil, trade, roads, ports, equipment or investment. But the real cost is influence.

China does not give without expecting something back. It expects access. It expects leverage. It expects silence. It expects cooperation when China needs Iran to serve China’s larger purpose.

It is not a partnership. It is control dressed up as trade. China does not simply buy loyalty. It builds dependence then calls that dependance friendship. Beware of its friendship.

When Western nations imposed sanctions, China continued to buy Iranian oil and maintain trade. But, you will have those sanctions removed because you are expected to become less belligerent and less threatening.

Do not let China influence you to act differently. China benefits from disruption in the Middle East. It does not want peace there. It wants leverage, dependence and confusion.

As you enter the group of friendly nations, you should find less dependance with China. And you will see more trade with less binding ties and more rewards.

China would still be someone you will trade with but you will no longer need to rely on them so I heavily as a single partner, you will have others that don’t ask for favors in exchange for ordinary trade.

Trust remains the foundation. With trust. You Iran can build a strong relationship with many nations. You have been without trust, and every partnership has been limited by doubt and suspicion.

The prospects for you will expand when you have trust. But beware of China, just like when you were under sanctions your prospects were limited so are China’s. It is still a belligerent nation. It has not expressed a desire to join the nations of the civilized world.

That is the reward of becoming a nation the world can believe again. More nations will trade with you. More nations will invest. More nations will speak with you without suspicion. More doors will open.

Iran should choose the wider world.