International Atomic Energy Agency with American settings

Zeinab Asgharian – Foreign Policy and International Relations Researcher:

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, in his latest two-pronged stance on the Islamic Republic of Iran, says there is little time left to revive the JCPOA or reach a new nuclear agreement. In a move that demonstrates the agency’s intention to pressure Iran to give in to Western demands.

Rafael Grossi claimed on Friday that if urgent and fundamental action is not taken, previous achievements may be jeopardized or more and more complex challenges may arise in relation to Tehran.

Grossi’s renewed negativity about Iran, with the cryptic statement that time for an agreement is running out, comes at a time when it should be noted that European countries still hope to bring Iran to the negotiating table. Despite the existing problems, they are willing to resolve the nuclear issue through diplomacy and negotiations and be able to convince Iran to hold serious negotiations and reach a new agreement or revive the JCPOA.

On the other hand, the recent statements of the IAEA Director General can be seen as a kind of favor to Trump and to appease him. Grossi’s reference to the fact that he has not yet managed to hold political consultations with the new US administration on the Iran issue is evidence of this claim and an expression of his new game. Interestingly, last year, when the IAEA Director General was asked how Trump’s victory could change relations with Iran, he said that the coming to power of a new administration usually brings with it “different arrangements and approaches,” I have worked with the Trump administration before and our cooperation was constructive, I foresee that it will continue in a similar way.”

This position is in many cases contrary to the principle of impartiality and professional behavior and is not at all consistent with the true duties of the Secretary General. Of course, it should be noted that Donald Trump, despite the challenges facing the United States on the issue of Iran, has not yet taken serious action to manage or restructure the approach in this case, which indicates the lack of a coherent strategy on the part of the United States to reach an agreement with the Islamic Republic or even to manage tensions.

The White House, however, has clearly stated that Trump will not allow Tehran to obtain a nuclear weapon. Earlier, after the election of Marco Rubio as US Secretary of State, who considers the Islamic Republic a potential threat, the Hill magazine wrote that the new president would probably consider nothing less than the destruction of the nuclear program, and people such as J.D. Vance, US Vice President, and Mike Waltz, National Security Advisor, have taken similar positions against Iran. It should be added that the only goal is not the nuclear destruction of Iran, and in addition to Iran’s nuclear program, the United States intends to challenge Iran’s regional power, especially its missile industry.

Despite the start of new nuclear negotiations between the Islamic Republic and three European countries in January, the new Trump administration, with its highly anti-Iranian politicians and military, will certainly create many obstacles even in the path of negotiations between Iran and Europe, and Grossi will also adopt positions aligned with the United States with his political game.

On the other hand, Iran’s explicit rejection of the offer to negotiate with the United States suggests that Trump is reviewing the current situation and has not yet reached a definitive conclusion on this matter, and Grossi is also waiting for the process to be clarified and the possibility of joining it.

According to the Financial Times, the new US president wants to make Steve Whittaker, the country’s special envoy for the Middle East, responsible for pursuing the Iran case, in order to initially apply maximum diplomatic pressure on Tehran. Of course, Michael DeMino, the senior Middle East official at the US Department of Defense (Pentagon), who is a former senior CIA official, supports restraint in dealing with Tehran. Elbridge Colby, Trump’s nominee for assistant secretary of defense for defense policy, has also warned the United States against any military action against Iran.

Media source: Quds Online – News code: 1049730