Iran and the six-nation group of global powers involved in the negotiations (the US, the UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) meet again on March 25, and hope to find grounds for agreement.
Who Negotiates with Authority?
Iran is represented by Hassan Rouhani, who carries the title of Iran’s President.
But Iran’s real leader, the person with the last word on all matters of state, is the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Khamenei has long been mistrustful of Iran’s main negotiating partner in these talks. If he doesn’t trust his main representative, does that representative have any realistic chance of delivering on the agreement?
Recently, Khamenei has accused Washington of ‘bullying’ Iran during the negotiations, and trying to turn Iranians against Islamic rule.
During an address in the Imam Reza Shrine, he levied these accusations. Shouts of “Death to America” resonated from the audience.
“Of course, yes, death to America,” Khamenei responded to the shouts, “because America is the original source of this pressure. They insist on putting pressure on our dear people’s economy. What’s their goal? Their goal is to put the people against the system.”
Although Tehran denies Western allegations it intends to develop nuclear weapons, the United Nations has imposed strict economic sanctions on Iran. Khamenei has attacked these penalties, as well, saying, ‘arrogant powers’ had brought about the fall in oil prices in recent months.
Speaking at the site of the talks in Lausanne, Switzerland, US Secretary of State John Kerry spun the usual pabulum,” We are united in our goal, our approach, our resolve and our determination to ensure that Iran’s program is entirely peaceful.”
President Rouhani plays the same game by saying, “God willing, at the end of negotiations, we will reach a deal and an understanding which will benefit all nations.”
While his puppet-master at home shouts “Death to America,” the main counter-party in the negotiations.
Age Old Negotiating Strategy
Although this may appear to be theater of the absurd, total comedy, if not a waste of time to pursue negotiations with Iran, take a closer look.
It’s the old good-cop-bad-cop negotiating strategy. Rouhani keeps the candle of hope lit while his Supreme Leader makes it appear there’s no hope to be had.
Iran knows full well of the political disarray, dysfunction and lack of support for Obama in Washington among the Republican majority, as well as a number of Democrats, and they’ll use this opportunity to take full advantage.
Isn’t it a common negotiating strategy?
Furthermore, isn’t the US doing the same?
US conservatives laud Senators for informing Iranian leadership in a letter that the US doesn’t have to abide by any agreement signed by Obama and it could, neigh will, be changed once Obama leaves office and a new, Republican President takes office – assuming a Republican President takes office.
It’s a variation on the same good cop-bad cop tactic. The bellicose sounding Republicans bellow thunder, fire and brimstone. Again. In the past six years, they’ve caved on virtually every issue in the end. Surely the Iranians have observed this trend, as well. Don’t hold your breath it will be different this time.
Meanwhile, neither side is confident any agreement will be honored by the other side. The Iranians don’t believe the economic sanctions will be lifted. The US side of the negotiating table doesn’t believe the Iranians won’t pursue nuclear weapons.
Comic Tragedy? Theater of the Absurd? Waste of taxpayer dollars?
http://freedomjournalism.com/2015/03/25/video-are-current-negotiations-with-iran-comic-tragedy-or-brilliant-strategy/