Majid Takht-Ravanchi, the ambassador of Iran for the United Nations (UN). (Image via: Tehran Times)

Nuclear Deal Is the Key for US-Iran Reconciliation

Alfonsus Adi Putra
Politics & Economic
Politics
Jul 01, 2019
1906
TEHRAN - It is a public secret that the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and Iran is awful since 1980, after the incident of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran against U.S.-backed monarchy in the country. As matter of fact, there might be no relationship at all, since both countries rely on other countries to represent and to serve as protective power for both countries: Switzerland for the U.S. and Pakistan for Iran.

The relation worsened in May 2018 when Trump, as the President of the United States, decided to walk out of The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – generally known as Iran nuclear deal – having referred to it as “ the worst deal ever”, and instead, he imposed economic sanctions on Tehran. JCPOA was signed by 8 countries before the U.S. walked out.

In exchange for the withdrawal, Iran threatened the U.S. that they would close the Strait of Hormuz should the U.S. continue imposing oil sanctions on Iran.

In his initial speech, Trump promised to fix U.S. relations with Iran. Turned out, the relation worsened. Since then, the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, decided to turn on a cold shoulder to the U.S., not wanting to negotiate any matter with Uncle Sam.

So, does that mean that the 2 countries should be at each other’s throat forever? Certainly not. At least, that is according to Majid Takht-Ravanchi, the ambassador of Iran for the United Nations (UN). Furthermore, he hinted that, in spite of the cold shoulders, Iran is actually tired of all this repercussion and wants to negotiate with the U.S. On one condition, the U.S. should come back to negotiating JCPOA.

“Try to compare our conditions before 2018 and after their withdrawal at the end of 2018. If so, then the root of the problem lies within the withdrawal,” said Ravanchi.

Ravanchi also pointed out that under threats and sanctions imposed by the U.S., it would be really difficult for both countries to reconcile, noting that Iran felt intimidated by these pressures. However, Ravanchi said that Iran would not back off from pressure, as they still could sustain its people amid the hard tension.

For the European Union (EU), Ravanchi suggested that they should rush their commitment under the JCPOA agreement, or Iran would continue their 2nd Phase. On 8 May, Iran stated that if the EU could not make it, then they would continue to produce uranium in an abundant amount.

What commitment to be precise? EU countries, represented by UK, France, and Germany launched the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX), an initiative to help Iran counter U.S. economic sanction through non-dollar trade with those countries. However, Iran criticized the initiative as it did not do its trick to minimize the effect of U.S. economic sanctions.

Source: https://ifpnews.com/wired/iran-hints-may-negotiate-with-trump-if-us-returns-to-jcpoa/

Politics , International , Iran , U.S. , Nuclear , JCPOA , INSTEX , Oil