Trump after economic gains not war vis-à-vis Iran
By Farhad Bashiri
Iranian legislator
US President-elect Donald Trump has mellowed out with age and the experience of his first term and his approaches to Iran and international issues are likely to take a different turn. He has had four years to reflect on some of his past actions and revisit some of the decisions he made earlier.
As a businessman and a man of economy, Trump is likely to prioritize economic interests over war and military adventurism. People who are into economy tend to shy away from conflict and are more interested in making profits. This trait may also apply to Trump, although he may strike a hawkish pose, talk tough on military matters and make threats, he may not be as gung-ho about it in practice.
It is only natural for every country to pursue its own interests and the American people have elected someone to look out for their country’s interests. Iran, too, has its own set of priorities and interests that need to be carefully examined and pursued. However, we should not just tie the country’s issues to negotiations with the US. Iran is a big country with plenty of resources, capacities, and capabilities. Who becomes the President of the United States should not be a big deal for us; this is a perspective that needs to be promoted by Iranian officials and media across the board. On the other hand, the overall policies of the United States toward Iran and other issues are set in a way that does not change dramatically with a change in presidency.
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