No Hero in Nuclear Dossier

One of the main questions asked by many parties, groups and even the people is, toward what direction is the foreign policy of the 11^th administration moving to and what objectives does it pursue?

In order to answer this question, we must first list the foreign policy priorities of the 11^th administration and then analyze the extent of its successes.

The priorities of the foreign policy of the 11^th administration are as follows:

1. Resolving the nuclear issue
2. Preventing new sanctions and attempting to remove the previous oppressive sanctions
3. Friendly relations with the neighboring countries and constructive interaction with the world
4. Preventing growing tension with the US
5. Improving people’s lives

Based on these priorities, the foreign policy was defined along the line of national interests and security and an experienced and professional team was appointed to work courageously towards this objective in order to reduce political costs. Therefore, Dr. Zarif was appointed as the Foreign Minister so that, based on his long term experience in the UN and the Foreign Ministry, he would be able to defend the rights of the people of Iran.

The first objective of the new administration was the resolution of the nuclear issue and the lifting of sanctions. He believes that foreign policy is a win-win game and he made efforts to prevent the US from running a zero-sum game in the international scene.

Issues which were left behind during the past years were seriously attended to. Logic, reasoning and the righteous rights of NPT member countries became the main issues of nuclear negotiations and attempts were made so that the country would not back down in the continuation of its scientific advances on the nuclear issue.

Of course, it must not be forgotten that reaching the climax of nuclear achievements is the result of years of efforts and resistance of the country which started during the previous administrations and its achievements certainly belong to the people who have bore numerous difficulties in this path; thus all the previous and present administrations must know that there is no hero in the nuclear dossier.

Negotiators have pointed out that considerable progress has been made in the nuclear negotiations and it is hoped that more positive steps would be taken in this regard. But the question is, are the achievements of the agreement compatible with the objectives? Will this agreement be accepted by the officials, parties and different groups?

Of course, being seriously engaged in resolving the nuclear issue did not give enough time to the Foreign Ministry to make tangible progress on other important issues including positive cooperation with the world of Islam, the Non-Aligned Movement, neighboring countries and equal relations with China and Russia.

The objective of all diplomatic efforts is for Iran to become the first power in the Middle East, based on the Prospective Document. This objective will only be achieved through reconstruction and expansion of Iran’s relations with its neighbors and confidence-building and cooperation in Iran’s regional policies. We must wait and see how bilateral cooperation would neutralize the attempts made by the West to isolate Iran.

Another foreign policy objective of Dr. Rohani’s administration was to neutralize the Iranophobia project led by Israel and its US supporters. The rift which is now created between Israel and its allies indicates the success of the Islamic Republic of Iran in this objective.

Despite the administration’s success in the improvement of macro- economic indexes, the improvement of people’s economic situation is unfortunately linked with the resolution of the nuclear issue and those who are active in the business field are waiting for the result of these negotiations.