Washington's overtures to Teheran

The Frontier Post (Editorial) 3/21/2000

The United States has apparently decided to bury the hatchet in terms of its ties with Iran. This marks a shift from overt animosity, evident since the '70s, to co-existence. Madeleine Albright has lately spoken of mistakes in her country's policy towards Iran. Significantly, she has called the US policy on Iran-Iraq war shortsighted. Ms Madeleine laced these remarks with her last week's announcement that signalled the dismantling of some US-imposed sanctions against Iran. Though sanctions on oil will remain in place, Iran could now resume its carpet and food exports to the United States. This in itself is a step towards some normalisation of relations. To observers of Iran-West equation, the American change of heart does not come as a surprise. Following the reformists' victory in Iran's recent polls, a favourable response from international community was quite on the cards.

The West, particularly the United States, has expressed its sense of relief over the victory of the reformists. Washington would like to see the hardcore conservatives take a backseat in Iran. The way the Iranian people have chosen to give their verdict in favour of progress and flexibility indicates that conservatism is more or less marginalised in a state that the West hitherto regarded as a rogue entity. It was clearly a mistake on part of the Americans to overlook the possibility, all these years, that the Iranian people could tilt the balance in favour of moderation. Some thaw in Iran-US ties has been in evidence in recent times. Iran, no doubt, has been easing its tension with other nations in the Gulf.

More importantly, Iran's role in Afghanistan has, paradoxically, been prompting American approval. Washington, as we know, has distanced itself from the Taliban, and from Islamabad as well. It was strange to discover that Iran's perceptions of developments in Afghanistan, especially with regard to the shape of things in future, were similar to those of Washington. In short, both countries, though sworn adversaries elsewhere, tended to view things from the same perspective. We do not know as to the exact Iranian feelings about Osama bin Laden; but there are reasons to believe that Tehran shared Washington's unease over the gathering of fundamentalist multitudes in Afghanistan. Besides, the United States has also tended to regard Iran's role in Central Asia without suspicion. Those who cherish peace across the world are, no doubt, more than pleased to see Washington finally making up to Iranians. A smooth and normal relationship between two former allies, and until now implacable enemies, will have healthy impact on the current global environment.