Opening in Iran-US Diplomatic Relations

Any opening in the course of Tehran-Washington interactions would be a prelude to resumption of diplomatic relations between the two governments.

Iranian Diplomacy has interviewed Ali Khorram, university instructor and expert in US affairs on this issue.

 

There were news reports this week that the US administration has granted a rare license to the American Iranian Council (AIC) to operate in Iran. The decision comes in continuation of unceasing efforts by the American community to establish contacts between the peoples of the two countries. However, the Iranian government has kept silence vis-à-vis this US move.

The American Iranian Council (AIC), a research and policy think tank devoted to improving ties between the two countries, was given a license to establish a presence in Tehran by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

To have a better understanding of the impact of such measures and proposals on reestablishment of ties between Tehran and Washington, Iranian Diplomacy has interviewed Ali Khorram, an expert in US affairs and university instructor.

 

A: There are two points of view here. According to the first outlook, any acceleration of diplomatic relations between the two countries would be possible by taking such initial steps. Supporters of this view maintain that such measures would eventually lead to resumption of bilateral ties between Tehran and Washington. The second outlook believes that the political will of Iranian and US governments should make a decision on reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries irrespective of the existence of such institutions as the American Iranian Council. Advocates of this perspective maintain that presentation of some proposals or operation of certain institutions would not mean resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Nevertheless, it must be noted that any opening in this path would be a prelude to resumption of diplomatic ties between the two governments.

 

A: It would depend on the job description, aims and policies of the Council. If the activities of AIC were in line with the national interests and security of Iran they would certainly receive the permit to operate here, particularly that they are Iranians who are lobbying for Iran in the United States.

 

A: The silence of the US government does not indicate opposition to relations with Iran. However, we should not expect any major step to be taken concerning Tehran-Washington relations during the little time left from the Bush administration’s term in office.