Page 10 - MEOG Week 38 2021

MEOG POLICY & SECURITY MEOG

aimed at curtailing its role in the Middle East Despite Iran’s dissatisfaction that the Joe
(particularly with an eye on its nuclear and bal- Biden administration has so far continued with
listic missile programmes, hostility to Israel and the sanctions against Iran that it inherited from
roles, usually via surrogates, in various military Trump, the Raisi government has said it will
conflicts). agree to restart the Vienna talks.
The talks are aimed at finding a path on which
Meaningful momentum both Iran and the US could return to full compli-
Raisi observed that Iran’s geopolitical position, ance and participation in the nuclear deal. The
sizable population of 84mn, energy supplies deal was devised to provide verifiable guaran-
(second largest gas reserves and fourth biggest tees that Iran’s nuclear programme stays entirely
oil reserves in the world), transit potential, civilian in return for the dropping of major
workforce and culture could give “meaningful sanctions against Tehran. As well as Iran, China,
momentum” to major regional trade and invest- Russia, the UK, France and Germany remain sig-
ment masterplans, including China’s Belt and natories to the accord.
Road Initiative. In a jab at those who want Iran’s nuclear
“The world has entered a new era,” Raisi said. development activities subjected to even more
“Hegemony and unilateralism are failing. The stringent curbs than the JCPOA achieves, Raisi
international balance is moving toward mul- cautioned that “nothing can stop Iran’s peaceful
tilateralism and redistribution of power to the nuclear activities that are within the framework
benefit of independent countries.” of international regulations”.
“Unilateral sanctions are not against only one Separately, the Islamic Republic of Iran Cus-
country as it has become evident in recent years toms Administration (IRICA) on September 17
that sanctions have targeted more independent detailed the level of trade that Iran and the SCO
countries, especially members of the [SCO] members saw in the last Persian year (ended
organisation,” he said. March 20.
Iran itself has endured heavy US sanctions IRICA said trade with China stood at
since mid-2018 when ex-US president Donald $18.9bn, with India $3.4bn, Russia $1.6bn, Paki-
Trump unilaterally walked out of the 2015 mul- stan $1.2bn, Uzbekistan $256mn, Kazakhstan
tilateral nuclear deal, or JCPOA, agreed between $205mn, Kyrgyzstan $51mn and Tajikistan
Iran and six world powers. The sanctions put the $24mn. For SCO observer states, the figures
country through a bitter recession lasting nearly were Afghanistan $2.3bn, Belarus $30mn and
three years from which it is only now emerging. Mongolia $3mn.™

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