Us- Iranian Relationship

Moving Forward US-Iranian relationship a condition precedent to region stability

There is a point to be made and not to be forgotten: Conflict adversaries such as the United States and Iran are indeed the partners whom each other needs and seeks, if they are to prevent, manage and resolve dysfunctional conflict. While the nuclear issue is seemingly the focal point of the conflict, in reality it is the overall US-Iranian relationship that must be addressed if stability and real security is to be achieved in the region.

Within the certainty and fair provisions of international law, Iran – as do all nations – has the right to develop nuclear capabilities solely for peaceful purposes yet, subject to the standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Similarly, the United States – as do all nations – has the right to be actively concerned about its own security and those of its allies. The principles of self-sufficiency of one nation and the security of another are apparent competing principles.

One fully acknowledges that negotiations involving the USA and Iran will not be easy. Nevertheless, necessary channels for direct negotiations must be opened and engaged immediately.

Both Iran and the United States have rich cultures and histories, both have contributed to betterment of the world, and both are worthy of respect. However, both countries have also engaged in demonizing the other in ways that are all-too-typical in conflict escalation.

The following proposed steps demonstrate how the process of talks can be improved and advanced so that violent conflict can be avoided.

First, a key myth about negotiations must be dispelled, namely, that one can never negotiate with any other entity that it doesn’t trust.

To dispel such a hypothesis we only have to ask how much trust existed between Israel and Egypt in the September 1978 Camp David talks to end the dysfunctional conflict between the two nations....