Iran nuclear issue: will there be another opportunity?
- By Jin Liangxiang
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E-mail China.org.cn, November 27, 2014
In addition, Jewish lobbyists in the United States will take every opportunity to demonize Iran.
Iran's domestic enmity toward the United States is no less than that U.S hostility towards Iran. Hassan Rouhani believes that the hostility is not set in stone. But many Iranians still remember the CIA's efforts in toppling Iran's legitimate government in 1953, U.S. support for Saddam Hussein's invasive war with chemical weapons and shooting down Iran's civilian airlines carrying more than two hundred people.
That's why Rouhani was welcomed with thrown shoes in Tehran when returning from New York. Hardliners thought that Rouhani should not have talked with Barack Obama on the phone while in the United States. Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader, is the person who has the final say on key issues. But he always calls the United States "the global arrogant power" or "hegemon" instead of its full and formal title.
Postponing the negotiation avoids failure, but it by no way means success. Opponents on both sides are looking for excuses to sabotage the positive atmosphere and trends. Hardliners on the Iranian side would cite the postponement as evidence that the United States is not a trustworthy interlocutor. Hawks in Capitol Hill would accuse Iran of buying time to make nuclear weapons.
The year 2015 will see Barack Obama face tensions with Congress regarding the Iran nuclear issue. He is opposed not only by the Republicans but also by some members of his own Democratic camps on this issue. As a result of the mid-term election, Republicans will take not only the Senate but also the House in January 2015.
Regarding the Iran issue, those on Capitol Hill have a distorted mentality. Instead of giving benefits to those who become more moderate, Congress is ready to punish Iran for compromising and showing its flexibility. They strangely held the argument that "since sanctions work in pushing for Iran's compliance, then why not introduce more sanctions?"
It would not be unexpected if Congress passed bills for more sanctions on Iran, set tougher conditions for removing sanctions and even suspended some of the president's authorizations on the Iran nuclear issue. These actions would certainly strengthen the positions of the hardliners in Tehran. They would possibly create new pressures on Hassan Rouhani, as well as harsh anti-American movements.
All in all, another extension in the negotiations, though it would suggest another chance at success, does not necessarily create opportunities for those who are determined to solve the issue peacefully.
The author is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:
http://china.org.cn/opinion/jinliangxiang.htm
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