Iran Could Accelerate Success of US Goals
Interview with Hadi Semati, American affairs expert
Iran’s influence and potentials are to the extent that Baghdad and Washington attach significance to Tehran’s consent or opposition over execution or non-execution of their security agreement. The reason is that both countries are well aware of Tehran’s role in accelerating success of the security accord. What follows is an interview with Hadi Semati, American affairs expert.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zibari has said his country was holding talks with IRI and US on launching the 4th round of trilateral talks on Iraq. Meanwhile, IRI Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hassan Qashqavi has said respect for Iraq’s national sovereignty is of particular significance for Iran as far as the Baghdad-Washington security accord is concerned. He believes grounds should be prepared so that national sovereignty would be restored to the occupied Iraq.
Iranian Diplomacy has interviewed Dr. Hadi Semati, an expert in American affairs on the outcome of three rounds of talks between Tehran and Washington over Iraq and the impact of future talks on Baghdad-Washington security pact.
Q: What has been the outcome of three rounds of talks between Iran and US in the presence of Iraq? Why do you think the host country is persistent to continue these negotiations?
A: It seems that Iran and US were reluctant to continue the talks for some time and each blamed the other party for the procrastination. But I believe the (Iranian) government should reevaluate the whole process in order to have a clearer picture about the achievements made so far and the future targets, before it started the 4th round of the negotiations.
Iran has to find out what has it achieved from the talks over improvement of the security situation in Iraq, reducing the tension between Tehran and Washington, and creating stabilizing structures in Iraq and the region. It seems that the Americans have succeeded in accomplishing part of their goals but I am not sure Iran has achieved the same.
Relative improvement of the situation in Iraq, using Iran’s potentials and capabilities to bring about more stability and tranquility to the country and benefiting from the relative fulfilled security to forge political understanding with the Maliki government are part of Washington’s aims that have been materialized thanks to its negotiations with Tehran.
In the meantime, the Iraqis are more eager than any other party to get the 4th round of the Iran-US talks started because the main and eventual winner here would be the Iraqi government. By preparing the ground for continuation of the talks, the Iraqis are also trying to enter the negotiating parties to a round of speculations and keep them informed about each other’s intentions.
Q: What would be the impact of a 4th round of Tehran-Washington talks on the security agreement between Iraq and US?
A: Continued talks between Tehran and Washington and efforts by the Iraqi government to prepare for the 4th round of the negotiations could accelerate the process of inking the security agreement between Iraq and US. Although the Iraqi government has still some problems with the accord but Iran’s opposition with its conclusion too is certainly a stumbling block.
With regards to the role and place of Iran in the region and among Iraq’s neighboring countries, Tehran’s opposition with the security pact could throw obstacles in the way of its execution. On this basis, Iran’s interests and security must be taken into account in this agreement. Perhaps one of the intentions of the Americans is to persuade Iran in the course of their talks with Tehran over Iraq that Baghdad-Washington security pact would not jeopardize Iran’s interests and security.
Generally speaking, continued talks between Tehran and Washington over Iraq would have an impact on the security accord between Iraq and US and could probably prepare an appropriate ground for Iran’s consent to the accord.
Q: Why do you think Iran’s opposition would prevent execution of the security agreement between Iraq and US?
A: Undoubtedly the main criteria concerning execution or non-execution of the security deal between Baghdad and Washington are the opinion of the Iraqi government and political circles. But Iran’s influence and potentials too are to the extent that the parties involved attach importance to Tehran’s consent or opposition. Moreover, they are well aware of Iran’s role in accelerating execution of the agreement.
Nevertheless, it is not Iran who has the final say here. Ayatollah Sistani, Iraqi opposition groups, the Sunnis as well as the government itself have serious problems with the security accord. The Americans are well aware of this and are therefore trying to persuade Iran as a main player to help them attain their goals.