Post-JCPOA: Necessities and Opportunities
Iran’s nuclear negotiations reached an agreement after 22 months of hard work and discussions during the Rouhani presidency. Mohammad Javad Zarif and his negotiating team reached an agreement over Iran’s nuclear program with the P5+1 in Vienna on Tuesday July 14th.
We are now in the post-JCPOA era and this article will attempt to mention the necessities and opportunities of this period.
Following the nuclear agreement with the world powers, the peaceful nuclear program of the Islamic Republic of Iran was officially recognized and Iran’s nuclear rights within the framework of international covenants were fully respected.
Based on statements made by President Rouhani’s Chief of Staff, the JCPOA lifted the sanctions which created obstacles on the path of Iran’s economic growth. This deal was not supposed to bring about economic growth but to pave the way for this growth.
I believe that the post-JCPOA era is more important than the agreement itself and great efforts should be made to take advantage of the opportunities available.
Iran opened a new chapter in international relations in the post-JCPOA era. According to experts on international relations, the nuclear deal returned the regulations of the EU, US and UN to their previous state.
During the past few years, western countries were not eager to establish good relations with Iran and the role that they consider for Iran following the nuclear deal in regional and international relations is unprecedented.
Based on a Washington Post report, Iran’s economy is on a path of growth. The nuclear agreement has paved the way for Iran’s interaction with the world and opened economic gates. Nuclear-related international sanctions were lifted with the JCPOA and the legal ban on cooperation between Iran and the world’s banks were removed. Furthermore, the International Monetary Fund has reported that this agreement has transformed Iran from a country which was on the path of economic decline into a country which expects a 4.5% growth in its economy, soon to reach 5%.
I believe that in the post-JCPOA era, there are hopes for further economic growth in Iran.
It is obvious that a country like Iran, with its huge oil reserves and thousands of years of civilization and tourist attractions, has the opportunity for high economic growth and could become an important member in the global economy.
As Iran’s Foreign Minister stated, one of the achievements of the nuclear deal was to calm the international atmosphere with regard to Iran.
The JCPOA is not faced with serious threats provided that we make great efforts to safeguard it.
There are certain provisions in this regard in the post-JCPOA era which are as follows:
1- Intelligent and targeted interaction with the international community
2-Prioritizing the creation of a positive view in the world public opinion with regard to Iran
3-Ending Iranophobia projects
4-Attempting to increase Iran’s role in reaching regional stability
5-Transforming into an active international player
6-Strengthening economic diplomacy (attracting foreign investments into the country)
In order to reach these objectives, all opportunities must be used in the shortest period of time but at the same time Iran must not take hasty actions so that mistakes would not be made.