Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 7
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
Without making serious reforms in Iran's domestic and foreign policies a nuclear deal will not help Iran to overcome its ongoing economic crisis, Iranian expert Reza Taghizadeh told Trend Oct. 7.
Taghizadeh also referred to recent remarks by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a clear sign of his negative viewpoint towards the nuclear deal.
In a speech to IRGC Navy commanders on Oct. 7, Khamenei, said that negotiations with the US is forbidden due to having many disadvantages and no advantages.
The Iranian negotiators were vigilant in the nuclear talks but Americans could anyway take a moment in some occasions to carry out their plots against Iran 's national interests, the supreme leader pointed out.
Taghizadeh believes that Khamenei's remarks are in line with the viewpoints of Iranian hardliners who criticize the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
"The issue is about permitting the IAEA to inspect military sites, something that high-ranking military officials in Tehran are against."
The Iranian expert further said that after reaching nuclear deal with world powers (US, Russia, China, France, UK, and Germany) last July there are two options ahead of the Islamic Republic: trans-shaping or continuing its former policies.
President Hassan Rouhani's administration is following the first option to normalize the Islamic Republic behaviors, to transform it from a revolutionary country, which intervenes in internal affairs of the regional countries, to a country in line with the international community, Taghizadeh said.
"Otherwise Iran has no chance to overcome the economic crisis, because boosting foreign trade, absorbing foreign investment is not possible only by officially lifting sanctions. The current situation of Iran's economy clearly proves that."
Despite the fact that there is a signed agreement on the table to settle the more than decade-old nuclear disputes, the economic crisis continues, because the Iranian government is not prepared yet for deep changes, he added.
Taghizadeh further said that senior Iranian military officials are in favor of continuing the former policies of the Islamic Republic.
"They insist that Iran 's regime should not be trans-shaped and remain as a closed society and ideological government."
Khamenei tries to keep a balance between the government and the military officials, the expert said, adding he already has granted privilege to Rouhani's government by accepting nuclear talks.
While commenting on the future of the nuclear deal he said that the JCPOA is not still guaranteed and hardliners try to create obstacles in front of its implementation. Even if JCPOA is not canceled, the ongoing foreign policy of Tehran and statements such as Khamenei's remarks damage Iran 's national interests and prevent the country to benefit the deal's advantages, Taghizadeh said.
"It will not encourage foreign investors to cooperate with Iran, while it reflects Iran's internal situation, as a closed society which suffers various problems."
Edited by CN
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