Zarif, one of the architects of the now moribund 2015 deal over the Iranian nuclear programme, is seen as a relative moderate within the Iranian elite, but has no official post in the current government.
However, this is one of the first times during this conflict that a high-profile figure in Iran has called for a deal and an end to the war, with top military and political officials urging daily for fighting to continue until the US is defeated.
US President Donald Trump has evoked ongoing talks with Tehran without giving details, but also threatened to send the country “back to the stone ages” if it fails to agree on terms.
“As an Iranian, outraged by Donald Trump’s reckless aggression and crude insults, yet proud of our armed forces and resilient people, I am torn about publishing this peace-plan in Foreign Affairs,” Zarif wrote in English on X Friday.
“Yet I’m convinced that war must end on terms consistent with Iran’s national interests,” he added.
Zarif in the Foreign Affairs piece warned that “although continuing to fight the United States and Israel might be psychologically satisfying, it will lead only to the further destruction of civilian lives and infrastructure”.