Non-Nuclear Obstructionism against Nuclear Agreement

Hassan Beheshtipour

The United States’ plan for imposing new sanctions on Iran on ground of the country’s missile program was taken out of the White House’s agenda due to the smart reaction shown by senior Iranian officials. This came at a time that on the verge of the implementation of Iran's and the P5+1’s obligations as per the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), those who are opposed to this agreement were expected to launch a vast psychological operation in order to change the rules that have been set to end Iran's nuclear challenge. This approach was adopted soon after the achievement of JCPOA by radical figures in the United States to cause the agreement grind to a standstill and in the light of this reality, recent effort by the United States to impose new sanctions on Iran under the pretext that Iran has violated its nuclear obligations can be viewed from a number of angles:

- Development of Iran's missile program has been used by the United States to level new accusations against Iran despite the fact that this issue was never raised as part of Iran's obligations as per JCPOA, because the P5+1 negotiators, especially the Western parties, were well aware that the missile program was one of Tehran’s red lines and Iran would never enter negotiations or political dealings over its defense issues, which include its missile program as well. This was not a hidden reality, but Iranian negotiators, in their official positions, had frequently and also categorically and transparently announced this and emphasized that Iran's missile might was never part of issues that were negotiated in the run-up to the achievement of JCPOA. This issue, was not only part of the Iranian administration’s negotiation strategy, but was, and still is, the general position adopted by the entire government of Iran. Design and development of advanced missiles by Iranian institutions does not take place with the goal of delivering nuclear weapons, and is totally meant for defense purposes and, as such, is an issue related to the national security of the country. The White House spokesman had confirmed this issue a while ago, officially admitting that there is no relation between Iran's missile program and nuclear negotiations.

- The document on which new sanctions against Iran have been based is the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1929, while the Security Council’s new resolution, that is, 2231, which was adopted by the Council after the achievement of JCPOA, will revoke all previous sanctions resolutions adopted by the United Nations and member states of the Security Council, including the United States. Resolution 2231 has not entered its execution phase yet, but when the implementation of JCPOA starts officially in the near future, this resolution will also enter into force as a result of which, the Security Council Resolution 1929, which has been taken as the legal basis for imposing new sanctions on Iran on ground of its missile program, will be rendered null and void.

- Repeated publication of news about the need to mount pressure on Iran is a purposive measure managed by Israeli lobbies and more than being a reflection of the reality, aims to force the US government to withdraw from its obligations toward Iran within the framework of JCPOA. Such measures started a while ago through a bill approved by radical figures at US Congress according to which changes were made to US Visa Waiver Program to consider restrictions for visa issuance for foreign nationals traveling to the United States. Of course, through timely reaction of Iran's diplomatic officials, the anti-Iran aspect of the new law was relatively modified by the White House, though direct, and especially indirect, propaganda against JCPOA continued as the time for its implementation draws near.

- Obstructionist efforts made by radical circles in the United States to cause failure of JCPOA are now being pursued through putting indirect pressure on Iran. As a result, they are trying to cause tensions between the two sides over non-nuclear matters and undermine mutual confidence building process in order to create challenges for Washington and Tehran the aftermath of which would affect JCPOA by nullifying the agreement and getting the two countries back to “zero point” that is, the situation that existed before the start of nuclear negotiations. Naturally, in order to defend it national interests, Iran will never accept any decision or resolution that would be against its national interests and security. Therefore, firm reactions shown by senior Iranian officials to the United States’ visa law and new sanctions related to Iran's missile might, are signs of this reality that any possible measures taken after this by radical American figures will be met with a similar response from Iran. Therefore, by understanding and accepting this reality, the White House must accept to comply with its JCPOA obligations and block obstructionist efforts by radical figures against the nuclear agreement under pretext of non-nuclear issues. Otherwise, it will face firm responses from Iran, whose nature are clear beforehand.

*A researcher, documentary producer, and expert on nuclear issues, Hassan Beheshtipour received his BA in Trade Economics from Tehran University. His research topics span from US and Russian foreign policy to the Ukrainian Orange Revolution.

Key Words: Non-Nuclear Obstructionism, Nuclear Agreement, The United States, New Sanctions, Iran, Missile Program, White House’s Agenda, Smart Reaction, P5+1, Obligations, Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Psychological Operation, Iran's Nuclear Challenge, Radical Figures, Beheshtipour

Source: Iran Newspaper