Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 5
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
Economic cooperation between the United States and Iran is not only necessary, but inevitable, John Feffer, who is director of Foreign Policy In Focus at the Institute for Policy Studies believes.
Iran and the United States have overlapping economic interests, and U.S. energy companies in particular are eager to enter the Iranian market, the US expert told Trend Oct. 5.
Economic cooperation can help pave the way for future political cooperation, but economic cooperation can only go so far, he said.
"Look at US-China relations. The two countries have myriad economic connections -- trade, investment, joint ventures. But there is still considerable political friction, and many in Washington still consider China a dangerous adversary."
Feffer further said that however some sanctions against Iran will remain in place, but once begun, economic cooperation will grow rapidly.
Here, the case of Cuba is instructive, the expert said, adding the embargo is still officially in place, but the US companies are flocking to the island to look into potential investments.
"With Iran, the United States will be competing with European and other investors. But the presence of a large Iranian-American population will help facilitate trade and other economic connections."
After several months of talks, on July 14, Iran and the P5+1 (US, Russia, China, France, UK, and Germany) announced a final accord, curbing Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of most international sanctions.
Following the deal senior Iranian officials have expressed readiness for resuming Tehran-Washington economic ties. For instance, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in his meeting last week with managers of American trade, economic and industrial enterprises in New York said that economic cooperation can bridge gaps between Iran and the United States, adding Tehran sees no obstacles to the presence of US firms in Iran.
Edited by CN