Tensions between the United States and Iran have been a focus of international attention. Since the United States withdrew from the JCPOA and imposed a policy of maximum pressure on Iran, the conflict between the two sides has escalated. Not long ago, the United States accused Iran of launching unprovoked attacks on merchant and civilian ships in the Middle East, and also roped in 20 countries to form a joint fleet in an attempt to contain and deter Iran.
However, Iran did not give in, but instead expressed strong opposition and resistance. Iran claims that the US accusations are baseless and that the attacks on the US by Middle Eastern countries were made on their own to support and defend Gaza. Iran has also rejected U.S. demands to stop Yemen's blockade of the Red Sea, and has even threatened that Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps would even choose to blockade the Mediterranean if the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues. Under such circumstances, is it still possible for the negotiations between the United States and Iran to succeed?Is America declining faster than we think?
The negotiations between the United States and Iran actually revolve around the Iran nuclear deal. The JCPOA was signed in 2015 by Iran and six world powers (the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, and China) to limit Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions against Iran. This agreement is considered a major achievement of international diplomacy and an important foundation for maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East.
However, in 2018, the United States ** Trump announced his withdrawal from the JCPOA and reimposed severe sanctions on Iran, causing Iran's economy to fall into trouble. In order to counter US pressure, Iran has also begun to gradually violate the terms of the JCPOA, accelerating the progress of its nuclear program. As a result, the entry into force of the JCPOA faces tremendous risks and poses a serious threat to the security of the Middle East region.
In an effort to salvage the JCPOA and ease tensions between the United States and Iran, in April 2021, the United States and Iran began indirect negotiations in Vienna, Austria, with the other five signatories acting as intermediaries to deliver information and advice. The purpose of this negotiation is to bring the United States and Iran back to the framework of the JCPOA, to resume the lifting of sanctions on Iran, and the monitoring and restriction of Iran's nuclear activities. This negotiation is considered an important diplomatic opportunity between the United States and Iran, as well as a hope for peace in the Middle East.
The talks between the United States and Iran have gone through six rounds of consultations, but none of them have made substantial progress. The differences between the two sides on the nuclear issue remain wide, and other sensitive issues are involved, such as security in the Middle East, human rights, terrorism, and so on.
Although the United States has expressed its willingness to rejoin the JCPOA, it has also put forward some additional conditions, such as demanding that Iran stop supporting armed groups in the Middle East and limit Iran's missile program. Iran is also unwilling to make more concessions, but insists that the United States first lift all sanctions against Iran before resuming the implementation of the JCPOA. The stalemate between the two sides on these issues has led to a stalemate and breakdown in the negotiations.
Not so long ago, relations between the United States and Iran deteriorated. The United States has accused Iran of launching unprovoked attacks on merchant and civilian ships in the Middle East, and has also enlisted 20 countries to form a joint fleet in an attempt to contain and deter Iran. Iran has expressed strong opposition and resistance to this. Iran claims that the US accusations are baseless and that the attacks on the US by Middle Eastern countries were made on their own to support and defend Gaza.
Iran has also rejected U.S. demands to stop Yemen's blockade of the Red Sea, and has even threatened that Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps would even choose to blockade the Mediterranean if the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues. Such a move is undoubtedly a provocation and challenge to the United States, as well as a threat and provocation to the international community.
The talks between the United States and Iran have a bearing not only on the relations between the two countries, but also on peace and stability in the Middle East, and even on global security and order. If an effective agreement can be reached between the United States and Iran, then the Iranian nuclear threat can be effectively controlled, the tension in the Middle East can be eased, the hostile relationship between the United States and Iran can be transformed into a cooperative relationship, and global peace and development can be promoted.
If an effective agreement cannot be reached between the United States and Iran, the nuclear threat from Iran will continue to increase, tensions in the Middle East will continue to escalate, hostile relations between the United States and Iran will continue to deteriorate, and global peace and development will be threatened and hindered.
Negotiations between the United States and Iran, although currently at a standstill, do not mean that there is no hope. In fact, both the United States and Iran have the motivation and pressure to return to the JCPOA. The United States hopes that by resuming the JCPOA, Iran will avoid developing nuclear weapons, reduce instability in the Middle East, and release U.S. strategic resources in other regions, while also responding to the expectations and calls of the international community.
Iran, on the other hand, hopes to revive the JCPOA, get rid of US sanctions, improve its economic situation, and strengthen its international standing, while also satisfying its domestic interests and demands. Therefore, it is still possible for the negotiations between the United States and Iran to resume and make progress in the future.
However, to achieve this goal, both the United States and Iran will need to make some compromises and adjustments. The United States needs to realize that the Iran nuclear deal is a multilateral agreement, not a unilateral agreement that the United States can withdraw from and return to at will. The United States cannot expect Iran to unilaterally fulfill its obligations under the JCPOA while not fulfilling its own commitments. The United States should respect Iran's legitimate rights and interests, gradually lift sanctions against Iran, and resume economic cooperation with Iran.
Iran also needs to recognize that the JCPOA is a balanced deal, not a unilateral agreement that Iran can violate and modify at will. Iran cannot expect the United States to lift all sanctions first and not restore the JCPOA itself. Iran should abide by the terms of the JCPOA, limit its nuclear activities, and accept the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The negotiations between the United States and Iran are a complex and difficult process, and they are also an important and urgent task. The negotiations between the United States and Iran are not only related to the relations between the two countries, but also to peace and stability in the Middle East and, more importantly, to global security and order. Negotiations between the United States and Iran require the political will and strategic wisdom of both sides, as well as the support and assistance of other countries. The negotiations between the United States and Iran are worthy of our expectation and efforts. Mei Yi