Rooz sat for a conversation with university professor of international affairs and international law at Alameh Tabatabai University in Iran Dr Dawood Hermidas Bavand on US Iran relations. He believes that any development that takes place in US foreign policy does not automatically result in a change in Iran’s position because in Iran it is the leader and not others who makes the decisions on such issues as relations with the US. Here are the excerpt of the exchange.
Rooz: New and difference kind of pulses are being exchanged between Iran and US, from Ahmadinejad on this side and from Obama at other. How much are these the results of strategic needs and how much are they strictly a change in tone?
Dawood Hermidas Bavand (Bavand): Mr. Obama had said during his campaign that if he were elected president he would unconditionally engage in talks with Iran. Subsequently he modified that position. Iranian officials on the other hand, made a departure from their past behavior and welcomed Obama’s remarks and his position was interpreted to be an indication of a new positive posture. Which is why with the new president in the White House it is possible that more serious steps will be taken by the US>
Rooz: Barack Obama has spoken about Iran suspending its nuclear program. In view of Iran’s opposition to end this program, is there a chance that the two countries would agree on this?
Bavand: The nuclear issue has till now been an important obstacle to the establishment of relations between the two. If the two sides approach an agreement in which Iran’s nuclear program is accepted and on the other hand specific mechanisms are established to address the concerns of the international community, one can take steps to go beyond the current situation. In conclusion, if talks are to succeed both sides must readjust their initial positions.
Rooz: If Iran wants to keep the initiative in its own hands and throw the ball in the US court, what should it do?
Bavand: If the US takes the first step and considers Iran’s views in it, and as I said earlier if both sides modify their current positions, one can expect the Iranian side to display a positive response in return. The US can create a situation - or indirectly impose it - through which it puts the other side in a situation whereby it would not keep itself busy with a mere change in tone or language, but engage in constructive talks with very serious intentions.
Rooz: Some believe that with the end of Bush’s term, who used a hardline approach towards Iran, Mr. Ahmadinejad’s term, who also used a confrontational approach in foreign affairs, has come to its end. So just like Americans, Iranians too need a serious change. Do you concur with this view?
Bavand: The election of Obama and the strategies that he has announced provide new opportunities. It is in Iran’s interest to take advantage of this opportunity. The US must moderate its positions, just as must Iran, even though it is the supreme leader who makes the final calls in Iran regarding relations with the US.
