TEHRAN(Bazaar) –Shireen Tahmaasb Hunter, a professor of political science at Georgetown University, tells that at the moment, I do not see any likelihood that Washington would be interested in any talk with Iran.
She adds that the only way any talks could take place would be if Iran were willing to discuss other issues such as its support to Hamas and the Houthis. But Iran will not be willing to abandon its regional allies.
Following is the text of the interview:
Q: The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, recently said that Iran is rapidly enriching uranium, but we are not saying that it has weapons. He has also announced that the path of talks with Iran is still open. What is your assessment of his words?
A: In terms of restarting nuclear talks with Iran, the IAEA has a limited role. The only countries that can revive these talks are Iran and the US. At the moment, I do not see any likelihood that Washington would be interested in any talk with Iran. The only way any talks could take place would be if Iran were willing to discuss other issues such as its support to Hamas and the Houthis. But Iran will not be willing to abandon its regional allies.
Q: After Grossi's statement, Anthony Blinken also announced that the withdrawal of the United States from the JCPOA was a big mistake and that Iran's nuclear program has been freed from this restraint and we are now in a situation that we did not want to be in. What is your assessment of his words?
A: It is true that the US withdrawal from the JCPOA was a mistake. But Biden could easily have returned to the deal. But he refused to do so. Blinken and his other advisers did nothing to convince him to return to the JCPOA. So, I don't see this statement as indicating a serious desire to return to talks on Iran's nuclear dossier.
Q: In a statement parallel to Grossi and Blinken's statements, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian announced in a meeting with the Swiss Foreign Minister: “The Sultan of Oman's initiative is still on the table and the Islamic Republic of Iran adheres to the path of negotiation.” Can these positions be considered a reason to start negotiations?
A: In general, under the current conditions, I don't see that either Iran nor the US would be willing to resume any sort of talks. The opposition to dealings with Iran is very strong at the Congress. The US has even reblocked Iran's assets. US politicians would be strongly opposed to giving Iran any relief even in the context of a less for less agreement.
Q: In general, what is the meaning of these positions proposed by the officials of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran and the United States in the midst of the Gaza war and war in the Red Sea?
A: It is hard to say what the goal of the IAEA is in spreading these comments. These could be the prelude for more pressures on Iran under the pretext that Tehran has refused to engage in constructive discussions. The next step could be to resurrect the accusations of Iran wanting a nuclear weapon. The tragedy is that more pressure on Iran could force it to follow the option of acquiring nuclear weapons.
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