In the aftermath of the conflict with Iran, a fortnight later, the landscape seems to bear a blended hue. The Iranian nuclear progression endured significant impairment that could potentially postpone its agenda by years. Nonetheless, the governing system, led by the Ayatollah, refrain from confessing their defeat and continue their unwavering interest in their revolutionary and nuclear aspirations. This highlights the U.S.’s imminent policy deliberations on whether the present truce will cultivate diplomacy that could enhance the war’s accomplishments or potentially jeopardize them.
Despite terminating its operations with Israel, and falling short on a substantial response to the counterattacks, Iran continues to display defiance and dismisses dire demands. Days after bombardments, a visibly feeble Ayatollah Ali Khamenei released a video message defending the intervention as a rescue operation for Israel, and touted Iran’s actions as a symbolic slap.
For Iran, the pathway to becoming an integral part of the international order is crucial, yet signs reveal that there’s no inclination to relinquish the vestiges of its enrichment initiative. According to Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister, post-war, their nation has been consumed by sanctions and have had wars thrust upon them due to this issue, and to forsake the technology is inconceivable.
Adding to growing concerns, Iran expelled UN arms inspectors who departed the nation a week ago, possibly signaling a withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. This expulsion mentalities could restrict inspectors from assessing the inflicted damage in person and inhibit the tracking or retrieval of any remaining nuclear substances.
Additionally, Iran does not appear eager to repair and normalize its relationship with the Western world. Radical clerics from the ruling cadre continue their call for executions. The Iranian government stands firm with it’s declaration of death resonance against America and Israel, perpetuating a relentless war.
Amidst this, there is mounting proof that Tehran is intensifying its domestic terror sweep, and through arrests and executions suppressing adversaries and marginal communities.
Negotiations may offer a glimmer of hope, with a planned meeting between Abbas Araghchi and the White House’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, in the forthcoming weeks. There has been some resistance from Iran’s Foreign Minister, but an inside source states a potential interest in relieving sanctions and aid for a civilian nuclear project.
This, however, does carry a significant demand in exchange. The immediate removal of any remaining nuclear substances and enrichment infrastructure is a prerequisite, and robust restraints on Iran’s missile program and an end to its support for regional terrorism is part of this deal.
Another essential component of this negotiation is the reinstatement of inspectors and unrestricted examination privileges. The full coercive influence, including public, will need to be exercised to gain these concessions by Mr. Witkoff.
Additional support to the Iranian populace would prove to be valuable, so too would the immediate reinstatement of U.N. sanctions that were part of the JCPOA signed in 2015. Such sanctions would resuscitate international prohibitions on Iranian enrichment and nuclear-capable missiles.
Further restrictions would prevent other nations from assisting Iran in the aforementioned areas. To be effective, the enforcement of sanctions on Iran’s oil exports, a seven-year high yielder and the regime’s chief revenue source, would have to be stringent.
The question remains whether such financial scaffolding will be put at risk. The recent military success illuminates new weaknesses in the regime, vulnerabilities unseen since the time of revolution.
Given the current landscape, now is the opportune time to secure and leverage these weaknesses in favor of a more secure Middle East.
The post Post-conflict Iran Remains Defiant Despite Nuclear Setbacks appeared first on Real News Now.
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