IT is a matter of satisfaction that despite rhetoric, both the United States and Iran see a positive outcome of their diplomatic engagement courtesy Pakistan.
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he believed a deal with Iran was “very possible”, but threatened to resume his bombardment of the country if negotiations fell apart. In his social media post, he said they had very good talks over the last 24 hours and that if “Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to”, the war would be over, but if not, the bombing would resume “at a much higher level and intensity”. Meanwhile, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman told local media that the “US plan and proposal are still under review” and that Tehran would convey its position to mediator Pakistan “after finalizing its views”.
The positive outlook of the diplomatic front is encouraging as provocative acts are also continuing, which are being seen with concern by the global community. The US military said a US Navy warplane on Wednesday fired on and disabled the rudder of an oil tanker that tried to break Washington’s blockade of Iranian ports. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker who has taken the lead in negotiations with the US, warned that Washington is seeking, through a naval blockade, economic pressure and media manipulation, to destroy the country’s cohesion in order to force us to surrender. However, hard hitting statements notwithstanding, US news outlet Axios, citing two US officials, reported that both sides were close to agreeing on a one-page memorandum of understanding to end the war and set a framework for more detailed nuclear negotiations. In his remarks to PBS, Trump insisted Iran would hand over its enriched uranium to the US, without explaining how this key point of contention would be resolved. Trump’s more conciliatory tone came hours after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US had completed its offensive operations against Iran. If implemented in letter and in spirit, this declaration augurs well for prospects of a peace deal. Reports suggest the two countries have been able to narrow down their differences because of consistent efforts of Pakistan. In its current form, the memorandum would declare an end to the war in the region and the start of 30 days of negotiations on a detailed agreement to open the strait, limit Iran’s nuclear programme with a moratorium and lift US sanctions. Iran’s restrictions on shipping through the strait and the US naval blockade of Iran would be gradually lifted during those 30 days, Axios said, citing one US official who added that if the negotiations collapse, US forces would be able to restore the blockade or resume military action. Importantly, the draft focuses on a permanent end to military action and relies on the leverage of naval blockade to ensure progress in talks during the one-month time-frame. It is also important to note that the international community, directly or indirectly, supports the Iranian position on the conflict. China declared in unequivocal terms on Wednesday it supports Iran in safeguarding its national sovereignty and security and appreciates Iran’s willingness to seek a political solution through diplomatic channels. The pronouncement of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his meeting with Iranian counterpart comes ahead of the planned visit of President Trump to China. Wang lauded Iran’s “commitment not to develop” nuclear weapons and said China recognized Iran’s “legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.” The Chinese Foreign Minister also urged the Gulf and Middle Eastern countries to “take their destiny into their own hands,” encouraging dialogue between Iran and Gulf nations to achieve good neighbourliness and friendship. Hopefully, they would listen to this sincere and logical advice that entails long term stability in the region.
