TEHRAN(Bazaar) –Shireen Tahmaasb Hunter, a professor of political science at Georgetown University, tells that there is not much more that the US can do in terms of additional sanctions on Iran.
She adds that sanctioning individuals or news services has only symbolic value.
Following is the text of the interview:
Q: The issue of prisoner exchange between Iran and the United States was carried out. Will this have an impact on the revival of the JCPOA?
A: If the US and Iran decide to pursue a policy of reducing tensions and reaching incremental agreements with the goal of eventual reconciliation, the prisoner swap agreement could be a good first step. The next logical step would be some progress on the nuclear issue and either the restoration of the JCPOA or signing of another agreement. However, thus far, there is no indication that either Iran or the US have chosen the option of dialogue and compromise.
Q: Washington has announced that it does not consider the prisoner exchange agreement with Iran to be a confidence-building step between the two countries. What is your assessment of this issue?
A: From Washington's perspective, the prisoner swap was not seen as a first step in a process of reconciliation or as a prelude to the revival of the JCPOA. However, talks on the prisoner swap could be helpful in future negotiation should the two sides choose the option of dialogue.
Q: President Biden announced in a statement after this exchange that the US will continue to impose costs on Iran for its provocative actions in the region. Could this message mean to remove his government from the internal pressures that condemned him to pay ransom to Iran regarding the release of Iran's blocked funds?
A: President Biden is under attack by some Republican lawmakers for agreeing to release Iran's frozen funds. So, he has to make statements to show that he has not softened the US approach towards Iran. But realistically, there is not much more that the US can do in terms of additional sanctions on Iran. Sanctioning individuals or news services has only symbolic value. The remaining options are total blockade or military attack. Both these options would lead to war that the US, at this point, does not want.
Q: What effect will this agreement have on Biden's presidential campaign?
A: The effect of this agreement on Biden's chances of reelection would be minimal.
Q: Qatar has expressed hope that this agreement will open the way to solve other issues between Iran and America. Considering the success of this country in this agreement, how likely is Doha to continue this mediation in the field of the nuclear agreement?
A: Countries like Qatar succeed in mediation only when both Iran and the US decide to make a deal. If the US and Iran decide to pursue other agreements, then Qatar, Oman, or some other country could act as facilitator.
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