Political understanding between Iran, the West feed regional developments
By Ebrahim Beheshti
Staff Writer
Iran’s foreign policy apparatus has recently witnessed a flurry of activity, especially in the past two weeks. The latest example pertains to the four-nation Persian Gulf tour of Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, which took him to Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait and Oman. This is in addition to talks held between Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani and European Union deputy foreign policy chief Enrique Mora.
Besides, Amir-Abdollahian has also unveiled Iran’s proposal for establishing a joint mechanism for dialogue and cooperation among the Persian Gulf states.
Iran Daily has conducted an interview with Diako Hosseini, an expert on strategic issues, to discuss such developments. He says Iran is simultaneously easing tensions with regional countries and the United States. Here are excerpts from the interview.
IRAN DAILY: Iran has seen a flurry of diplomatic activity or “diplomatic traffic” over the past months. What is your take on the issue?
DIAKO HOSSEINI: The diplomatic activity is in line with Iran’s efforts to promote relations with neighboring countries, which have been emphasized by President Ebrahim Raeisi. Likewise, big powers like China and the U.S. support the process of easing tensions between Iran and regional countries. This is because they regard this process as a prelude to regional stability which can also benefit the global economy. It seems that this process is the basis of Iran’s diplomatic activities. Moreover, boosting regional ties can positively affect Iran-U.S. communications through mediators.
Meanwhile, the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is unlikely until the U.S. presidential elections are held in 2024. Hence, a political understanding could replace the agreement in avoiding or reducing tensions.
We can expect that easing regional tensions will pave the ground for de-escalation between Iran and the West, including the U.S. In other words, reducing tensions in the region is part of a political understanding between Iran and the West.
Do you believe that de-escalation of tensions between Iran and some regional countries, as well as the West, is moving ahead in parallel?
In this regard, there are two points of view. The first indicates that the ongoing regional developments are part of a political understanding between Iran and the West. This process is supported by China.
The second suggests that the de-escalation pertains to the fact that some of the regional countries have decided to adopt a more independent policy. This could reduce tensions between Tehran and Washington. Nonetheless, we do not know whether the positive trend of de-escalation is a prelude to or result of a political understanding between Iran and the U.S. But easing tensions with the region and the U.S. have positive effects on each other. It means that securing regional cooperation will help reduce and gradually resolve tensions between Iran and the West, including the U.S.
Besides, if Iran and the U.S. reach a strategic understanding, we will witness its effects on promoting regional cooperation. The move will also pave the way for Tehran and Washington to normalize economic ties.
Can we say that regional agreements with Iran are currently at the security and political phase; they have not gone through the phase of economic cooperation yet?
That is correct. Although regional countries have good economic ties with Iran, they face restrictions in developing these relations as long as U.S. sanctions on Tehran remain in place. These restrictions hamper efforts to make huge investments.
Iran’s foreign minister put forward a proposal to promote dialogue and cooperation among regional countries. Can the plan help establish cooperation in the region with long-lasting effects?
A proposal to promote regional cooperation had already been suggested by former foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. But it was not realized because conditions were not ripe. Now, however, it seems that the conditions are ripe for going ahead with the foreign minister’s plan. Both Iran and other regional countries should be aware that sole reliance on the process of easing tensions is not enough to strengthen regional stability. Governments should continue talks on different levels to clear up misunderstandings and establish new bonds.
In my opinion, if the Iranian foreign minister’s plan is realized, it can serve as a suitable platform for enhancing cooperation and resolving remaining disputes among regional countries. This will, ultimately, lead to establishing a strong and stable region.
It is high time that the plan is put into operation because the conditions are prepared for its realization and big powers support it.