Tehran's "no war, no dialogue" policy toward Washington has so far helped it avoid the trap of engaging in a direct military confrontation being set up by the United States, says a political analyst, who believes that Iran's economic ability to continue this approach will write the next chapter in ties.
In a recent article published by the Iranian Diplomacy website, Salaheddin Khadiv wrote that heightened US pressure against Iran, including its recent decision against the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, is aimed at compelling the country to come to the negotiating table.
On April 8, US President Donald Trump named IRGC a terrorist group, in an unprecedented step that prompted Tehran to designate the United States Central Command—which is responsible for the Middle East and Central Asia—as a terrorist organization and the US government as a sponsor of terror.
Khadiv says Washington is seeking to compel Iran to toe its line and that of other western nations through economic and political sanctions.
Military Option
The Trump administration's hardline strategy on Iran could boost the prospects of war, as history shows that the United States uses the military option more easily in the Middle East than in East Asia, the analyst said.
"Any country in the Middle East who desires to or becomes an influential regional player definitely provokes confrontation with the West because it is seen as a threat to Israel's security."
The expert on international relations said Iran has a deep understanding of US and Israeli policies and motives, and so far managed to not get involved in a direct military conflict by choosing to contain Israel by supporting the resistance movement in the region.
Khadiv noted that IRGC has played a key role in advancing Iran's strategies and that is why it has drawn the wrath of the White House.
"The trio of Trump, [Israeli Prime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahu and [Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed] bin Salman hope that the political, psychological and economic repercussions of the US labeling of IRGC as a terrorist organization will prompt Iran to take more confrontational measures and to eventually enter a regional war," he said.
Khadiv further said the Islamic Republic has shown restraint in the face of US provocations, avoided any step that could play into the hands of the enemies and is withstanding foreign pressure in the hope that a democratic candidate will win the 2020 US presidential race.
"The next few months will be a game of sanctions, provocations, resistance and wait and see. In fact, the outcome of this game largely depends on Iran's economic ability to continue its 'no war, no dialogue' strategy," he said.
