Remaining a part of the 2015 nuclear deal would be in Iran's interests, as it has prevented the formation of an international alliance and further pressure against the country so far, says a former diplomat.
"The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action has stopped the European Union, Russia and China from joining the [anti-Iran] coalition of Saudi Arabia, Israel and the United States. So it has been very useful from this perspective, although Iran is not receiving economic benefits. So it would not be in Iran's interests right now to abandon it," Abdolreza Faraji-Rad also told the Iranian Diplomacy website in a recent interview.
Last May, US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear accord between Tehran and six world powers, despite the opposition of all other signatories to pressure Iran to give up its nuclear and missile programs and alter its policies in the Middle East.
He then reimposed major economic sanctions on the OPEC producer, including on its oil exports and banks, which have increased pressure on the Iranian economy.
France, Britain and Germany have set up a new mechanism for non-dollar trade with Iran in response to Washington's withdrawal from the landmark deal that lifted international sanctions against the Islamic Republic in exchange for restrictions on its atomic activities.
Faraji-Rad maintains that Iran should continue to stick with the agreement as it is enshrined in a United Nations Security Council resolution and leaving it would only complicate the situation.
Calculated Steps
Calling for carefully considering the consequences of every move, the former diplomat said, “If Tehran decides to pull out of the nuclear accord, it should consider all possible scenarios."
Even "serious negotiations" should be held with China and Russia as veto-wielding members of the UN Security Council before any change of course, he added.
"We should not act in a way that Moscow and Beijing would not be able to support us," said Faraji-Rad, who formerly served as Iran's ambassador to Norway.
Asked if US sanctions have had their intended effect, he said Trump has succeeded in his efforts to squeeze the Iranian economy. "but from international, diplomatic and political perspectives, America has completely failed to compel Iran to change its attitude".
Trump assumed that the Islamic Republic will agree to renegotiate the nuclear agreement and make changes to its nuclear and defense policies, but he has not been able to achieve these objectives, the political observer said.
Faraji-Rad also said it is unlikely that Trump will be able to cut off Iran's oil exports and reduce its main revenue source to zero, as it could cause "serious tensions" in the oil market.
