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The Iranian Strategy: Interminable Negotiations

(Fathom-BICOM) Ben Cohen interviews Michael Doran - Michael Doran, a senior fellow at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, said: "I think our administration has come to the conclusion that Iran is a tired power, that it pays lip service to its revolutionary goals, that those are not the real drivers of its policy on the ground. And I think that's a mistake." The extent of the mistake can be seen in the negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program. "If the Iranians decide they want to cut a deal, then we'll have a deal, but all of the initiative is really on their side." "It's unlikely to be a deal that would satisfy the United States. Because in order to get such a deal, the Iranian regime has to be placed before an either/or decision. It has to be faced with a decision of continuing the nuclear program and suffering devastating economic sanctions or worse, or coming to an enduring agreement. And the Obama Administration has very consciously avoided placing Iran before that kind of stark decision." As a result, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has "a third option, and that's continuous negotiations." "The interim deal is for six months and can be rolled over by mutual consent for another six months and another six months, interminably...so they will work to string this along for as long as possible." "I think a small amount of enrichment, with a very vigorous inspections regime, is something that we could live with. But in order to get that, we have to be very tough negotiators. They traded temporary and reversible concessions to us for final status concessions from us. The Obama Administration gave them something permanent, this recognition of what the Iranians call their 'right to enrich,' in return for concessions which they can reverse in a day."
2014-06-20 00:00:00
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