Future relations between the USA and Iran depend on efforts of both sides, but stumbling block in the process of cooperation establishment is Iran's unwillingness to reach close relations, as well as its nuclear program, Professor at University of Glasgow said.
"The reason behind the lack of improvement in the relations between Iran and the USA is Iran's reluctance to get closer to them and one of the major obstacles is Iran's nuclear program," Iranian expert working in London, Reza Tagizadeh, told Trend over phone from London.
The White House's administration began to establish relations with its old opponents over the last months: Raul Castro announced about his readiness to cooperate with Obama's administration in April. Diplomatic relations are being restored between Damascus and Washington. Ex-U.S. President Bill Clinton visited North Korea on August 4. He participated in release of two U.S journalists, sentenced to 12 years.
Taghizade said that there are a lot of better approaches taken by the new U.S government to be closer with Iran. One of them is Obama's acceptance of Ahmadinejad as the elected president of Iran.
"This is far better reposition to work, an amicable approach toward Iranian government to compare to European countries which didn't participate in the inauguration ceremony or didn't send any congratulations to him," professor said.
Official representative of the White House, Robert Gibbs, said on the eve of inauguration ceremonies of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that the U.S recognize him (Ahmadinejad) as elected president of Iran. While the European Commission did not congratulate Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with his taking office.
Iranian expert on international affairs, Hasan Bekhishtipoor, also thinks that some actions have been taken to remove pessimistic mood concerning future relations between Iran and the USA since beginning of Obama's activity. But chances for their establishment are still very illusive.
"Forecast concerning future relations between Iran and U.S. is pessimistic because the USA interfered in the internal affairs of Iran for many years. It is necessary to remove this pessimistic mood to warm relations between two countries. But favourable atmosphere has not been created yet, Hasan Bekhishtipoor told Trend over phone from Tehran.
Bekhishtipoor expressed confidence that after inauguration ceremony, in particular, after the last statement of press-secretary of the White House, Ahmadinejad will slightly improve relations. In his view, one of permanent terms for both countries to be closer is negotiations. There were no appropriate conditions to conduct talks in previous years. But situation improved after Obama took office.
New U.S. president during his own election campaign, and after his election, publicly declared that Iran will be one of the most important problems and changes in policy towards Tehran. Obama talked about the problems with Iran, establishment of new relationship between two countries, as well as desire to solve Iran's nuclear program through negotiations. Obama also spoke about conducting unconditional talks.
But, at present, it is early to speak about future relations between two countries, head of Euro's week research fund, Piruz Mujtahedzadeh, said in London.
"Now Iran has strained relations with western countries because the USA, Great Britain, France and Germany during the presidential elections influenced forces opposing the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mujtahedzadeh told Trend over phone from London. It is hastily to speak about future of Iran and the USA, he said.
Expert said that one can hope for warming of relations if the atmosphere of trust will be restored between Iran and Western countries, as before the presidential elections in Iran.
The situation in Iran has worsened after results of Iranian presidential elections of June 12 were announced. Supporters of lost opposition leader Mir-Hossein Mousavi accused authorities of falsification of voting results and demanded to cancel them. As a result of disorders in Tehran, 27 people died, 1,000 people were arrested. Western countries have condemned the Iranian government for brutal treatment with demonstrators. In response, Iran has accused Western countries, especially Great Britain, of interference in internal affairs of Iran.
There is slight strive to resume relations with USA after the recent elections in Iran. The main reason is unwillingness of conservative-minded representatives of the political leadership of Iran to change the current situation, Professor Tagizadeh said.
"At the moment, the main problem of the Iranian government is internal situation in Iran," Iranian expert said.
If Iran's leadership decides to go for rapprochement with the USA, they face resistance from some members of the religious establishment and the government inside Iran.
According to Professor Tahizadeh, the USA is more ready to negotiate with Iran than before, but Iran still opposes rapprochement with Washington. There will be no opportunities for their close relations till two countries are far from each other in mutual strive to hold dialogue.
T. Jafarov participated in preparation of this material.