US, Russia must seek consensus on Iran

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently held phone discussions with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov about the prospects of renewing negotiations with Iran in a bid to revive the 2015 nuclear deal ditched by former US leader Donald Trump.

Many Americans, especially Republicans, have serious doubts about Iran. Nevertheless, US President Joe Biden favors a nuclear deal if only to prove that the man he beat in the presidential elections last year was wrong and careless about Washington’s global strategy. The Democrats seem to believe that other issues in the relationship between the US and Iran can be handled later. In contrast, Russia sees Iran as less of a global threat to stability and an instigator of terrorism. Moscow believes that Iran can be an important partner in regards to the Arab-Israeli conflict, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and the security of the Gulf.

The problem with the Biden administration’s approach is that it assumes a Cold War disposition toward Moscow. Washington has accused the Russian government of interfering in US elections, and fears it is trying to undermine American democracy. It points to Russian hackers, aided by the government, launching cyberattacks against the US.

This rivalry with Russia is costing the US a great deal of effort and money. For sure, there will never be a full agreement between the two countries on the subject of Iran. Even if a nuclear deal is signed, the US and Russia still will disagree on how to approach Tehran. This is a strategic reality that cannot be ignored.

Washington and Moscow each desire different things from Tehran. Russia wants to have all the sanctions lifted. The US hopes to retain several sanctions, especially those imposed on high-ranking Iranian officials with ties to networks supporting and financing terrorist activities.

In addition, the Biden administration sees in the potential signing of a nuclear deal with Tehran a chance to exercise influence over the regime to moderate or change its behavior, especially regarding regional problems bedeviling the area. Russia, on the other hand, resents the US having any leverage over Iran.

It is noticeable that the state-affiliated media in Iran frequently attacks the US as an imperial power in thrall to the Zionist ambitions of Israel. In contrast, there is no serious criticism of Russia, and no charge directed at Moscow of plotting to harm Muslims worldwide. Russia benefits from these attacks on the US by Iranian media. No doubt, even if a nuclear accord is agreed on by the six nations negotiating with Iran in Vienna, the media campaigns depicting the US as the “Great Satan,” will continue.

It is obvious that the Biden administration is eager to sign a nuclear deal with Iran. Russia has the same foreign policy orientation. But the two superpowers must discuss the details of any future agreement with the regime in reference to its nuclear policies. The US must make sure that Moscow consents to a rigorous, regular and strict monitoring system to assess the level of uranium enrichment by Iran. Unless Moscow and Washington are in agreement on this subject, phone calls between leading officials in the two governments will be useless.

Moscow believes that Iran can be an important partner in regards to the Arab-Israeli conflict, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and the security of the Gulf” – Maria Maalouf

The discussion between Blinken and Lavrov is hardly likely to have narrowed their perspectives on how to deal with Iran. Nevertheless, it would be politically inconsiderate to freeze all political communications between the White House and the Kremlin. Yet, any talks between the two foreign policy officials must be aimed at establishing consensus over Iran, and ending the threat to global and regional stability. If this is the focus, their discussions will yield good results.

US officials should not be afraid to tell their Russian counterparts the truth about Iran. So far, this has been lacking in the Biden administration’s dealing with Russia’s national security elite. Members of Biden’s foreign policy team are still ignoring the dangers Iran poses to world peace and stability.

  • Maria Maalouf is a Lebanese journalist, broadcaster, publisher and writer. She holds an MA in political sociology from the University of Lyon. Twitter: @bilarakib

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Arab News’ point of view

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