Lifting of Sanctions; Result of Rohani-Cameron Meeting

-Following the meeting held between Iran’s President and the British Prime Minister and his promise to lift sanctions, several institutions and individuals were removed from the list of this country’s sanctions against Iran.

-Although Cameron made some unfriendly remarks which brought about protests inside Iran after this meeting in his address at the UN General Assembly, it can be said that his statements in the UN were probably caused by the attack which happened against Britain’s embassy in Iran in the past.

-The step which has been taken with regard to the lifting of sanctions against Iran could be effective because the lifting of sanctions against the National Iranian Tanker Company, Sharif University and some of the assets of Babak Zanjani in Britain could be to Iran’s benefit. The reason is that, for example, Babak Zanjani’s assets in this country which were previously unavailable to Iran can now be available and, if a judicial verdict is issued in this regard, Iran could implement it with regard to his assets.

-Other companies which are active in the financial and economic issues can continue their activities after the lifting of sanctions by Britain’s HM Treasury and this will be beneficial for Iran as well. But the most important issue with regard to the lifting of some of the sanctions by Britain’s HM against Iran is its effect on the political scene because the lifting of sanctions indicates that the sanctions against Iran are reducing and we will see more countries in the future which would move towards the lifting of sanctions against Iran.

-These sanctions were mainly issued against several institutions and individuals but their removal shows a trend which is important for Iran in the international scene. That is why the lifting of sanctions against Iran is considered a political step which could affect the negotiations with the P5+1 and also Iran’s future relations with Britain. Furthermore, it could be an introduction for the lifting of other sanctions.

-In general, we must welcome the lifting of sanctions against Iran and the removal of the names of Iranian institutions from the list of sanctions and hope that this trend would continue because the next steps must be the lifting of sanctions against the Central Bank and other banks. It should not be forgotten that these small steps could be a beginning for taking bigger steps.