US must avoid falling into trap of securitizing ties with Iran
Mehdi Sanaei, the Iranian presidential aide for political affairs, has issued a pointed warning, advising the United States not fall into the trap of letting its relationship with Iran become dominated by security concerns.
The warning was delivered at the first International Conference on American and European Studies, held on June 9–10 in Tehran, with participants including scholars, analysts, and academics from Iran and abroad. The conference examines evolving dynamics in Europe and the US, and their respective policies toward Iran.
Here is part of what Sanaei shared at the event—a take on where things stand, and where they could go from here.
Relations between Europe and Iran have gradually slipped into a security-first framework — and this trend is only deepening. The state of affairs is far from what it should be, and the trajectory is heading in the wrong direction. Much of the deterioration can be traced to the way Europe has allowed its Iran policy to become an offshoot of its broader ties with the United States.
What would serve both sides far better is to begin more direct and serious dialogue about bilateral relations — unfiltered by transatlantic politics. The US, too, should be cautious not to go down the same path, falling into trap of securitizing ties with Iran. Such a direction benefits neither Europe nor the international community.
There is a lesson for Europe to be learned. There is still hope that Europe may reflect on its approach in Gaza and the broader Middle East, and begin to adopt a more independent outlook on global affairs, particularly when it comes to Asia and Iran.
The Iran-US nuclear negotiations have had their ups and downs. But Tehran’s position has remained consistent. The path forward is clear: seek an agreement while holding firm to national rights.
The coming months will be critical for the country. These are moments when experts, academics, and thinkers can step up to play a meaningful role in helping the government and political system make sound decisions. Preserving national dignity and ensuring the country’s stability while moving toward the lifting of sanctions, promoting economic growth, and addressing the many challenges Iran faces is of the utmost importance.