Tehran’s Resistance to Pressures Only Viable Option

EghtesadOnline: Iran will refuse to enter into talks with the United States while it is under pressure and may only negotiate if both countries are on the same footing, secretary of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations said.

News ID: ۷۸۴۷۳۹

01 July 2019

Speaking to ISNA, Mohammad Baqer Khorramshad strongly advised against negotiations under such circumstances, as it would result in eventually making concessions.

"If any talks are going to take place, it should be when all [US] plans have failed," he said.

The US walked away from the 2015 international nuclear deal with Iran last year, arguing that it was not comprehensive. It imposed several rounds of sanctions to force Tehran to restart talks and agree to a new deal, according to Financial Tribune.

In recent months, Washington has added military threats to its economic pressure, despite showing reluctance to engage in a war with Iran.

Khorramshad said starting talks in this condition would wipe out all the gains achieved during 40 years of resistance.

If Iran shows resistance instead, he added, the pressure will lose impact and may even have a reverse effect.

"Wisdom dictates that negotiation under pressure is poison, so … we will turn the tables with resistance and negotiate on an equal footing, if necessary," he said.

Adequate Tool Kit

Iran, according to Khorramshad, possesses enough tools of resistance, especially given its educated workforce, and can use the current situation as an opportunity to diversify its sources of income.

"Iran has enormous potential for self-sufficiency … it has found a golden opportunity to eliminate its dependence on oil revenues," he said, noting that during 40 years of resisting the western pressure, Iran has not faced any famine and hunger, thanks to its large domestic capacities.

Crude oil, which is the lifeblood of Iran's economy, has been targeted by American sanctions. The US administration initially granted temporary waivers to eight major buyers of Iranian oil, but refused to extend them when they expired in early May.

Khorramshad also called for fostering cooperation with other world powers such as China and Russia, and to pursue trade with national currencies in order to withstand US economic pressure.