The addition of certain Iranian individuals and business entities to the list of those under sanctions by the US can be interpreted in two ways. The official line adopted in explaining why they happened now is to convey that until the final agreement with 5+1, existing sanctions are effective and active and will be implemented wherever applicable. A second interpretation closer to what I observe is that certain individuals within the US administration do not favour a positive engagement with as well as confidence building vis-à-vis Iran. There is a mirror image to this group inside Iran as well and this appears to me not entirely a coincidence that in recent weeks we have observed increased hostilities toward the US administration and are now presented with an untimely announcement about a new sanctions list. If there is even a 10% probability of the second interpretation being behind the recent events, then the diplomatic team representing Iran should not allow itself to be dragged into a vortex of new hostilities and additional conflict. With greatest respect to everyone, we wish to point out that Iran today is where China was in 1978. Many isolationist groups in the then China shouted the loudest that America was hell-bent on attacking and destroying it and yet the language of diplomacy and positive engagement has made the two countries the greatest trade and investment partners for and in each other’s economy. We hope that this opportunity is not missed and this applies with equal strength to Washington, London, Paris as well as Tehran. Weekly observations show how strongly certain countries in the Middle East are upset about the possibility of Iran sitting at the top of the regional table and how they have used every possible means to mobilize their allies in the West. Only those who can see the big picture deserve to sit at the top table. Iran has in recent months shown that it is the most reliable and politically mature partner in the region and thus deserving of such a place. Mehrdad Emadi
Posted on: Sat, 30 Aug 2014 15:56:46 +0000
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