TEHRAN(Bazaar) – Professor Hossein Askari, who teaches international business at the George Washington University, says there is no way Biden can guarantee this. Also within his own party, they don’t want the sanctions lifted.
He adds “Biden cannot politically afford to make concessions to Iran.”
Following is the text of the Bazaar interview with Professor Hossein Askari.
Bazaar: Ali Bagheri Kani, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs said Wednesday that the Vienna talks with the aim of removal of the US sanctions will start on November 29. What is your assessment of this?
Askari: Iran had little choice but at least to agree to talk.
Bazaar: President Ebrahim Raeisi said that "As Iran has announced before, we will not leave the negotiating table," adding that Iran wants result-oriented negotiations to remove oppressive US sanctions. Do you think that the result that Iran is seeking will be achieved in the negotiations?
Askari: No. Biden cannot politically afford to make concessions to Iran. The U.S. Congress and the Israeli lobby will not go along. Also no matter what Biden says, the next U.S. president is likely to reverse it. Iran is in a box. It’s only viable option may be to either get total Chinese support to thwart U.S. sanctions or to ramp up its nuclear program.
Bazaar: Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia Permanent Representative for Vienna-based International Organizations said that all participants in the negotiations for the resumption of the implementation of the JCPOA call for a result-oriented dialogue. He told cautiously optimistic about the outlook for the next round of Vienna talks. His words seem to be a response to Ebrahim Raisi. What is your assessment of Russia's recent position? Ulyanov has been sharply critical of Iran for the delay in the Vienna talks in recent months.
Askari: His words are diplomatic nothing. Russia is looking after its own interest. It would like to have Iran be anti-U.S. but it does not want a nuclear-capable Iran! Iran cannot trust Russia either.
Bazaar: Republicans in U.S. Congress announced that as soon as the Republican Party regains a majority in Congress, it will immediately rescind any agreement between the Biden administration and the Islamic Republic of Iran. According to the Washington Free Beacon, the Republican MPs said their clear message to the Islamic Republic of Iran was: “Joe Biden does not have the authority to promise the permanent lifting of sanctions of Iran.” Based on this, how does the Biden government want to guarantee the stability of the JCPOA?
Askari: There is no way Biden can guarantee this. Also within his own party, they don’t want the sanctions lifted.
Bazaar: Given the recent developments, what is your prediction for the future of the JCPOA?
Askari: Not promising.
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