Far from Finalization
Iran knows that its nuclear case has reached no conclusion. By Davoud Hermidas Bavand, university professor and Iran’s foreign affairs analyst
Iran’s nuclear program has both legal and political facets. Nevertheless, during the recent years its political aspect has come to the fore. That is why the nuclear case was handed from IAEA Board of Governors to UN Security Council, leading to three resolutions against Iran.
In these resolutions, five permanent members of the UNSC, plus Germany who is not a permanent member but a constituent of Five plus One, have reemphasized that Iran’s nuclear case is not over yet and the dossier is open for further investigation. Evidently, talks on Iran’s nuclear program will be going on in IAEA, UNSC and Five plus One meetings. On the other hand, Iran’s proposal package, and its previous offer for uranium enrichment by an international consortium inside its territory show that Iran’s diplomacy is making efforts to break the nuclear impasse.
Ahmadinejad’s claim that Iran’s nuclear case is finalized is probably uttered for domestic audience, since in international assemblies Iran’s nuclear program is still on the agenda, calling for constructive dialogue. Of course Ahmadinejad’s comments are habitually paradoxical; however, the interaction between Iran and negotiating parties including two major international bodies, i.e. IAEA and UN Security Council, show that the challenge on Iran’s nuclear program is far from over. It doesn’t look like that Iranian officials believe Iran’s nuclear case has reached a conclusion.
Five plus One and Iran’s Proposals
UNSC, IAEA and Five plus One have focused on Iran’s nuclear, missile and defense technology. These issues have been explicitly addressed in Security Council resolutions. But there are other issues, such as support for international terrorism and Middle East affairs that may have collateral relation with Iran’s nuclear program.
In its proposal packages, Iran seems to by trying to point to more general issues related to the problems it has with world powers. Non-proliferation of WMDs, fighting against terrorism and establishing global peace are such issues, having an indirect relation.
Such issues may not be the response West is awaiting. They could be neglected. What Five plus One wants from Iran is pertinent reference to the nuclear issue in the negotiations.
In these resolutions, five permanent members of the UNSC, plus Germany who is not a permanent member but a constituent of Five plus One, have reemphasized that Iran’s nuclear case is not over yet and the dossier is open for further investigation. Evidently, talks on Iran’s nuclear program will be going on in IAEA, UNSC and Five plus One meetings. On the other hand, Iran’s proposal package, and its previous offer for uranium enrichment by an international consortium inside its territory show that Iran’s diplomacy is making efforts to break the nuclear impasse.
Ahmadinejad’s claim that Iran’s nuclear case is finalized is probably uttered for domestic audience, since in international assemblies Iran’s nuclear program is still on the agenda, calling for constructive dialogue. Of course Ahmadinejad’s comments are habitually paradoxical; however, the interaction between Iran and negotiating parties including two major international bodies, i.e. IAEA and UN Security Council, show that the challenge on Iran’s nuclear program is far from over. It doesn’t look like that Iranian officials believe Iran’s nuclear case has reached a conclusion.
Five plus One and Iran’s Proposals
UNSC, IAEA and Five plus One have focused on Iran’s nuclear, missile and defense technology. These issues have been explicitly addressed in Security Council resolutions. But there are other issues, such as support for international terrorism and Middle East affairs that may have collateral relation with Iran’s nuclear program.
In its proposal packages, Iran seems to by trying to point to more general issues related to the problems it has with world powers. Non-proliferation of WMDs, fighting against terrorism and establishing global peace are such issues, having an indirect relation.
Such issues may not be the response West is awaiting. They could be neglected. What Five plus One wants from Iran is pertinent reference to the nuclear issue in the negotiations.