María Fernanda Estrada Ornelas - 140025 

United States Government and Politics

November 14th, 2013

“Iran and the nuclear negotiations: Not there yet”

This article talks about a recent meeting that was held in Geneva in which France, US, Britain, Germany, China and Russia met with Iran to discuss Iranian nuclear programs and the sanctions they have received by many countries because of it. They did not reach any concrete agreements, but they discussed profoundly of different possible half-way solutions that can let the international community have a little tranquility regarding the matter, and also that can decrease the sanctions on Iran. Even though nothing was concreted nor signed and there have not been any public declarations, Iran is granting some requests from the IAEA, made some commitments in reducing for a period of time their uranium enrichment, etc. this in exchange for loosening some of the sanctions and restrictions against Iran. These arrangements were apparently supported by the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, but any agreement in which Iran can still be able to enrich would be rejected by many Americans, by many allies of the US and also by many members of Congress. Until Iran signs the Non-Proliferation Treaty no international organization neither any country will be concerns free. This creates a problem between the Congress and the White House, given that the administration (Obama) really wants to have a diplomatic attitude and solution with Iran, and they are afraid that if the Congress keeps on with their strong hand on the sanctions, a war can be just around the corner.

The Economist, November 14, 2013. Available at: http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21589872-despite-obstacles-reaching-deal-iran-it-everyones-interests

I agree with the public position of the US of trying the diplomatic approach with Iran. I believe in diplomacy, but I also understand that it cannot be used and it is not suitable for every controversial situation. However, in my opinion the US does not have the support nor the necessity to go to war or near war with Iran at this point. I also think that Iran with the current administration and their disadvantageous position will want to cooperate as much as their principles allow them. Iran, like any other country, should have the right to have a nuclear program for energy purposes, if they fulfill the international parameters and agree to have organized surveillance. The US should keep their diplomatic path and exhaust all options of “peaceful” attempts to make Iran agree to the international conditions.

Right now, the United States does not have the credibility to begin a conflict in the Middle East with this reason, they need to stick to their diplomatic weapons in order to build trust and possible solutions to really believe and understand the reasons for these negotiations. To acknowledge that the sanctions and pressures to Iran from the international community, the US in particular, go beyond some countries’ interests (mostly Western), and are actually focused on worldwide security and avoidance of conflict.