The recent interaction between Iran and the United States on humanitarian grounds (referring to the recent prisoner swap) should be extended to the political field and international mediation efforts should be embraced, says a foreign policy expert who believes "smart negotiations" would serve the Iranian nations' interests.
"Clever diplomacy requires that Iran welcome mediation efforts by any country, because there is no harm in adopting such an approach. Even if such efforts are not successful, Iran will not be blamed for a standoff or crisis," Javid Qorbanoghli also told the Iranian Diplomacy website in a recent interview.
He said "extensive efforts" are underway by regional and international mediators to improve Tehran-Washington ties and the recent prisoner swap could be a good starting point to address outstanding issues.
On Dec. 7, the US and Iran each freed a prisoner in a rare act of cooperation between two long-time foes whose relations have worsened since US President Donald Trump took office, withdrew his country from the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers and reimposed sweeping sanctions on the OPEC producer.
Asked whether the latest development sent a "positive signal" to reduce tensions, Qorbanoghli said, "Regardless of whether it was a positive signal by Iran, the US or both of them, it should be welcomed and we should want this so-called humanitarian gesture to be extended to the area of official diplomacy."
‘Deadly Poison’
The foreign policy expert believes there is a strong movement that supports international mediation efforts in both Iran and the US while there are also certain groups in both countries, which prefer an escalation of tensions and "even a military confrontation".
"Some regional countries are also strongly supporting the latter approach because they think defusion of tensions between Iran and the United States would mean sanctions on Iran will be lifted, domestic discontent will decrease and the country's pent-up diplomatic potential will be realized," he added.
Qorbanoghli noted that linking Trump's green light for the prisoner exchange to his domestic challenges would only embolden those who insist any dialogue with the US is a "deadly poison" for Iran and undermines its interests.
"Unfortunately, a certain powerful and influential group in Iran categorically rejects international efforts to resolve tensions between the two countries, which neither benefits Iran nor is in line with the will of the nation," he said.
They regard refusal to negotiate as an "element of resistance", but a clever diplomacy and dialogue that secure national interests are one of the most important tenets of resistance, he added.
Qorbanoghli stressed that dialogue is neither a defeat nor a retreat.
“We should not be afraid of negotiating and should not fear that our interests might not be served if we engage in negotiations. We can hold talks with certain conditions and preconditions," he said, noting that opportunities should not be missed.
