TEHRAN(Bazaar) –Shireen Tahmaasb Hunter, a professor of political science at Georgetown University, tells the Bazaar News Agency “if the IRGC remains on the Terror list, I believe Iran is unlikely to agree to this.”
She says: “However, if the government calculates that it needs the relief which may come if the JCPOA is restored, it might agree to this proposal.”
Following is the text of the interview:
Bazaar: The Wall Street Journal quoted Western diplomats as saying that the European Union had offered to send Enrique Mora to break the deadlock in the negotiations to revive the JCPOA. What is your assessment of this trip?
Hunter: Most Europeans are concerned about what might happen if the JCPOA is not revived. Some US officials have hinted that, if the JCPOA is not revived, the US would have to think of other ways to prevent the advancement of Iran's nuclear program. Although unlikely, new ways might include some form of military action. At a time when Europe is facing energy problems and economic difficulties because of the war in Ukraine, it wishes to prevent such eventualities.
Bazaar: According to this newspaper, Mora wants to convince Iran to sign the agreement ‘now’ without removing the IRGC form U.S Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), and Tehran has not yet responded to accepting this trip. Will Tehran agree to this trip and offer?
Hunter: Because of domestic opposition by influential senators, including Democrats, plus Israeli lobbying and pressure, it is highly unlikely that the US would remove the name of the IRGC form the terrorist list. The question is would Iran agree to a deal, if the IRGC remains on the Terror list, I believe Iran is unlikely to agree to this. However, if the government calculates that it needs the relief which may come if the JCPOA is restored, it might agree to this proposal.
Bazaar: Does the word ‘now’ mean signing an agreement on nuclear issues and holding separate talks on the IRGC?
Hunter: Now means as soon as possible and without addressing the problem of IRGC listing in the Terror list. Both the US and Europe hope to use this issue to convince Iran to enter talks on other outstanding problems. At this moment, when Europe needs the US more because of the Ukraine war, they cannot pressure Washington. Therefore, they are trying to persuade Iran to make concessions.
Bazaar: The United States set a deadline at the beginning of the negotiations, but does not set a deadline now. What is the reason for this?
Hunter: There is no need for the US to impose a deadline for ending the talks. As long as talks are continuing, Washington would not be forced to come up with other measures to curb Iran's Nuclear activities. Meanwhile, sanctions on Iran will continue further worsening its economic and other problems.
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