Iran should make further use of diplomatic channels to revitalize its economy instead of merely hoping that the European Union’s plan to facilitate trade and offset US sanctions will work out, a political analyst said.
In a recent interview with the Iranian Diplomacy website, Ali Bigdeli, an expert on European affairs, cast doubt on EU’s ability to make good on its pledges to put into place a special mechanism that is meant to keep Tehran in a nuclear deal with world powers.
Bigdeli, who is also a professor at Shahid Beheshti University, cited a string of internal problems plaguing European nations, including France, Britain and Germany, to back up his argument.
France has for weeks been the scene of demonstrations that began as a protest over fuel tax increases but have morphed into a wider backlash against the liberal economic policies of French President Emmanuel Macron.
With just 100 days until Britain is due to leave the EU, British Prime Minister Theresa May has yet to win the support of a deeply divided parliament for the deal she struck last month with Brussels.
And Germany is going through a new phase of challenges after Chancellor Angela Merkel’s authority was dented this year by election setbacks, leading her to announce that she would not run for chancellor in the 2021 general election after 13 years at the country’s helm.
“These problems will cause the European Union to fail to fulfill its promises to Iran regarding the creation of the Special Purpose Vehicle,” Bigdeli said.
He was referring to the system proposed by the bloc to help preserve the economic benefits for Iran deriving from the curbs it placed on its nuclear program under the 2015 deal, from which Trump withdrew the United States in May.
The mechanism has not become operational yet but EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, recently said it could be in place by the yearend.
The expert said some domestic issues in Iran, such as the delay in implementing financial reforms demanded by the Financial Action Task Force, an international transparency watchdog, has further complicated the situation.
Half-Hearted Efforts
Bigdeli predicted that European powers will continue to express their intention to set up the SPV, as it is the best option at their disposal to ensure that Iran will remain committed to its nuclear obligations.
He added that the nuclear agreement—formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action—is in the Europeans’ security interests so they will continue their “half-hearted” attempts to keep it alive.
On whether Tehran should abandon the accord, he said Iran’s withdrawal will make the situation worse as it could result in the formation of a US-led international coalition against the country.
“Under the current circumstances, we should definitely remain committed to JCPOA and try to improve the country’s economic and trade conditions by taking more steps in the field of diplomacy,” he said.
Bigdeli also suggested that Iranian authorities should consider dialogue with Washington without compromising the nation’s dignity.
