Re-Sanctioning of Iran; A Practical Manifestation of US’ Political Hawkishness and Economic Terrorism

Since 1979’ revolution of Iran, the bilateral ties between Iran and US have been suffering from a long standing rivalry. US being the super power has always sought ways to attack the sovereignty and independence of Iranian government.  Every now and then, the US administration has invested its energy in the process to victimize Iran sometimes by US’ political hegemony while, other times by its economic supremacy. Hawkish policies of US against Iran have always made Iran to pay a heavy price for pursuing an independent foreign policy. Moreover, US’ inimically prejudicial posture towards Iran had cost and is still costing Iran by stripping the developmental opportunities away from it.

“Our proposal is clear: commitment for commitment; violation for violation; threat for threat; and step for step, instead of talk for talk.” (H.Rouhani)

In this gloomy scenario, the Iran Nuclear Deal commonly known as JCPOA 2015 appeared as a beacon of hope to soothe the wounds incurred by Iran from the brutal approach of US.US, under the Obama administration, along with other permanent members of UN Security Council and Germany signed this nuclear deal with Iran in 2015. The sole purpose of this deal was to further the realization of nuclear non-proliferation and to stop the nuclearisation of the South Asian region. However, it suffered a critical set back from the unilateral decision of Mr. Donald Trump -the president of US- to pull his country out of  this agreement and to re-impose sanctions on Iran. US in its anti-Iran approach has gone an extra mile and demanded from the signatories of the nuclear deal to with draw the agreement. Additionally, US has imposed few sanctions on Iran in August. Not only this, but it has also threatened other states if they maintained economic ties with Iran after the imposition of second round of sanctions in the start of November.

US’invitation for talks immediately after the imposition of sanctions is nothing but a farce which only adds insult to the injuries of Iran.

In Response, Iran has strongly condemned this hegemonic unilateralism of US. In the recent 73^rd session of UNGA, the president of Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani has logically and rationally censured the hostile and extremist policies of US towards Iran. He mentioned the hostile efforts of US to make JCPOA an inefficient deal. He also cited the reports of IAEA regarding the nuclear activity of Iran and said that as per the 12 consecutive reports of IAEA, Iran is in compliance with the terms and conditions of the multilateral nuclear agreement. Mr. Rouhani further stated that US unilateral approach is in stark contrast to the international laws and norms. As being a member of UNSC, US is obliged to respect the multilateral deal, to stick by the resolution of UNSC and it shall refrain from threatening the international peace by going against the decision of UNSC.

The president also shed light on the positive and outstanding role played by the Islamic Republic of Iran in the pursuit of global peace and mentioned the Iran’s wish for peace. He ensured the UNGA that Iran will welcome any peace move but for that US has to let go its hegemonic posture for Iran cannot hold talks with the state attacking its vital national interests. He’s of the view that US’ invitation for talks immediately after the imposition of sanctions is nothing but a farce which only adds insult to the injuries of Iran. He invited US for talks in the UN during his speech and also unveiled Iran’s proposal in these words, “Our proposal is clear: commitment for commitment; violation for violation; threat for threat; and step for step, instead of talk for talk.” He further mentioned, “We espouse a peaceful view in political and international issues and have not sought, nor do we seek, war with any country.”

US withdrawal from JCPOA, re-sanctioning Iran and threats to other states doing business with Iran is a practical manifestation of its politico-economic terrorism against a sovereign state.

The speech of the Iranian president in UNGA clearly illustrates the peaceful approach adopted and pursued by Iran even in this hostile scenario. It has unveiled Iran’s longing for peace in response to US’ desire for confrontation. Few geo-strategists opine that US is actually paranoid of Iran and this paranoia leads to the mutual trust deficit between two countries. Moreover, the Saudi-Israel factor is the fundamental cause of this adversarial Iran-US relation. They are also skeptical about the contradictory role -pertaining to nuclearisation issue- US has been playing differently with different states. On one hand US supports and enters into a nuclear deal with a state non-signatory of NPT (Non Proliferation Treaty) while on the other hand, it imposes sanctions on the state working in compliance with the international treaties. Thus, the Indian Nuclear deal is sufficient enough to expose US’ dubious role and mala fide intentions.

It is now the supreme responsibility of the international institutions to check US’ bellicosity against Iran or else the entire international order would be compromised.

So, US withdrawal from JCPOA, re-sanctioning Iran and threats to other states doing business with Iran is a practical manifestation of its politico-economic terrorism against a sovereign state. This is not the first episode of US waging economic war against the smaller rival powers. Furthermore, US has never respected any international treaty be it JCPOA15 or COP21. This unilateral attitude of US administration questions the potential of the international institutions. It even makes the world doubt the efficiency and intent of international institutions to check a state’s belligerence against another state. Consequently, US propagated anti-institutionalism is the biggest threat to internationalism and globalization which nurtures nationalistic ideologies.

It’s the time US should be reminded that this type of belligerence is intolerable, be the victim is Iran or any other state. Stripping of a state’s right to development, prosperity and growth is nothing but terrorism. The contemporary global predicament suggests US to shun this terrorist mindset for the sake of international peace. It is now the supreme responsibility of the international institutions to check US’ bellicosity against Iran or else the entire international order would be compromised.