Nuclear Iran is not an Option: A New Negotiating Strategy to Prevent Iran from Developing Nuclear Weapons

In: The Whitehead journal of diplomacy and international relations, Band 10, Heft 1, S. 77-89

Abstract

The present article puts forth three critical requisites for the Obama Administration to reopen the dialogue with Iran. They should be considered to pave the way for effective negotiations that could lead to a peaceful resolution in the Middle East. The first requisite is for the US to accord Iran the respect it seeks. It is a proud nation with a rich heritage and continuous civilization for over four millennia, that sees itself as the legitimate regional hegemony. Secondly, the US must end the threats against the regime, whose preservation is seen by the Iranian clergy as the single most important task. Finally, the security concerns of Iran must be assuaged, involving both mutual suspicion as well as the presence of American troops in the Middle East that, subsequently, surround Tehran, and block Iran's dream of being the dominant regional power. In the second part of the article are discussed three tracks of negotiation involving 1) Iran's uranium enrichment program and the economic incentive package to be offered in exchange for permanent suspension; 2) negotiations to be led with a third mediator (Turkey) regarding hard-core regional security issues, their global implications and the consequences for Iran while continuing to defy the international community; 3) bilateral negotiations between the US and Iran aiming at resolving the grievances they have against each other. O. van Zijl