Negotiation the Only Solution

18 August 2010 | 19:12 Code : 8188 General category

Iran and the West should sit at a table and resolve their differences. By Sadegh Kharrazi.

Iran is now the focal topic of debates and discussions in key political decision-making circles in Europe and the United States. In imposing new sanctions on Iran, each country has its own rationale, which should be discussed. Regardless of whether the Islamic Republic could conduct a more intelligent policy, or it should overly rely on Russia and China (or even Brazil’s and Turkey’s promises), a few key issues should be taken into account.

Firstly, all political parties faithful to the Islamic Republic, whether they support or oppose President Ahmadinejad and his statecraft style, should support the Islamic Republic and its leadership—regardless of the behavior and norms of the incumbent government—based on a correct understanding of the concept of national identity. It is an unquestionable fact that against foreign enemies, sustaining unity and obeying the leadership is a must. Iran today is facing several threatening entities, from Zionism, European and American neo-cons, to opportunist Arabs and unperceptive opposition groups. Unfortunately the Arabs—key patrons of al Qaeda and Taliban terrorists and the prime suspects behind 9/11—are trying to invert the realities of the region, foment crisis, and encourage extraregional forces to sustain a presence in the region.

Orchestrating their efforts with Israel, some Arab states are acting against the interests of the Muslim Ummah and Arab solidarity, providing money to and hosting Iran’s enemies. But no one should forget that ‘deterrence’ national power has been a favored concept in Iran’s military circles for long. Iran has managed to cut down its technological reliance on greater powers, and has countered efforts by the global powers to undermine its military might or its deterrence potentials. Since the Sacred Defense, Iran has launched a campaign to become the major power of the region. Military and political circles and think tanks in West know full well that no regional security arrangement can succeed without Iran’s participation. Iran’s missiles know well their potential targets in the region, and know what to do in the case of a conflict.

But how can we weather the crisis and deal with the threats? The Islamic Republic has other potentials, and it can negotiate and bargain relying on its regional power. The anti-Iranian lobby in West is running psychological warfare these days, exaggerating the threat of an Israeli or U.S. attack and trying to create an atmosphere of fear among Iranian officials and the nation.

It seems that both sides of Atlantic are getting closer on imposing further sanctions against Iran. The West has turned Iran into an international concern, although they are well aware of Iran’s regional potential and its influence in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Occupied Palestine. A few years ago, when Israel and neo-con Americans launched the 33-day war against the Lebanese nation, in the early days they talked of completely annihilating Hezbollah. In the waning days of the war however, they were relieved to hear that Hezbollah had accepted a ceasefire. This should have proved the power of Iran to Western countries.

The truth is that Washington has failed in rooting out al Qaeda terrorism. More reasonable figures in the West know that whatever the ruling party in Iran, cooperation with our country is not superfluous for them. Iraq and Afghanistan would be in an even worse situation if it wasn’t for Iran’s cooperation. The Democratic administration of President Obama is now under pressure inside the U.S. due to its ambitious electoral campaign slogans.

Negotiations are the only means to tackle the crisis between Iran and the West. Talks could of course be based on good will, mutual trust and respect for the logic of dialogue. The condemnation of the terrorist attacks of July 15^th in Iran by the American president and secretary of state (and some European countries) is a case worthy of contemplation. Such efforts should not be mitigated with the harsh tone and rhetoric that the West sometimes employs with respect to Iran. Inside Iran, the perception is that despite Iran’s candid cooperation with IAEA, the West will not end its excessive demands. In the end, though, nothing but negotiations can put an end to the current crisis.