Iran’s Foreign Diplomacy, Achievements and Failures
By Hossein Salimi, university professor and international affairs’ analyst
Iranian diplomacy encountered substantial developments last year, some of which were handled actively but others waiting for rational treatments.
Iran and Obama’s presidency
A historic change took place in United States’ politics with neo-cons leaving office after 8 years and the rise of a group of intellectuals to power who advocate moderate policies and further cooperation with the international community. One of the major slogans of the new team is engaging Iran in Middle East developments and implementing diplomatic means such as negotiation to resolve problems with rogue countries like Iran.
Iran’s reaction to Obama’s presidency was remarkable. Mahmud Ahmadinejad sent a historic letter of congratulations to Barack Obama and occasional reactions by other Iranian officials were far from irrational. However, neither Iran nor United States have taken serious steps towards rebuilding bilateral ties.
Iran and the global economic crisis
The great recession has definitely affected politics. While a more serious and active approach is expected from the Iranian diplomatic apparatus, it seems that Iran’s stance and its analysis with regard to the international economic crisis is not appropriate. Instead of declaring the end of capitalism and asking for a new order based on justice, we could view the developments as an opportunity for repositioning our country in the global economy.
Iran and Middle East developments
Israel’s strike on Gaza was one of the most important regional developments. The Islamic Republic of Iran took a proper stance against the attack. Also, probably for the first time the international community, especially the international media, unanimously criticized the strike. Nevertheless, Tehran should seize the opportunity for urging Palestinians to form a sovereign state and play a more active role in uniting Palestinian groups. The role Iran opts to play can change attitude towards it in the region; however, Iran still continues to support and tie its foreign policy to one or two specific groups.
The other significant development in Middle East has been the behavioral shift in negotiations since American Democrats have taken office. It seems that frictions with Syria have decreased and Americans tend to have more cooperation with this country. The issue of Iraq is also dealt differently: American troops will withdraw as soon as possible and security affairs will be handed to Iraqis.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and Egypt bore a more active role in the region which -compounded with regional developments- intensified the anti-Iranian atmosphere in Middle East. This atmosphere partially fueled the tension between Iran and Bahrain, frictions between Tehran and Egypt and Iran and Morocco cutting off ties. The Arab community repeatedly sent anti-Iranian pulses within the last year. These developments may be a prelude to further international pressure on Iran. The Iranian diplomatic apparatus has begun to react to these developments. The resultant is not clear yet however.
Iranian Foreign Minister’s visit to Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries of the region, and efforts to end misunderstandings with Bahrain shows that our diplomacy seeks no crisis in its relations with Arab states. However, a new regional trend has set off which can add to pressures on Iran.
Besides all these developments, what stays out of our diplomatic reach is the global representation of our foreign diplomacy and our international status. Clearly, this is not a favorable picture and now and again it counters our constructive measures. Hence, it seems that the aggregate of our diplomatic measures within the last year is still affected by the negative attitude of other countries towards our policies and our status.