US Hard Line on Iran Risks Collapse of Nuclear Deal
Cole Harrison / Massachusetts Peace Action
One year into the Biden presidency, he is continuing Donald Trump’s reckless policy towards Iran. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly known as the JCPOA or Iran Nuclear Deal, worked until Trump pulled the US out of it. Biden has so far failed to return to the deal.
Because the US won’t rejoin the deal, U.S. diplomats aren’t talking directly with Iran in the Vienna negotiations.Now tensions are rising again and the United States has nothing to show for its hard-line Iran policy.
The American people are weary of endless Middle East conflicts and hostility towards Iran. Ending our war in Afghanistan was an important first step; now we must reach an accommodation with Iran.
Democratic members of Congress, and even Secretary of State Blinken, are casting doubt on a US return to the deal. They are hampering this peace process.
ACTION: Tell Congress and Tony Blinken: Stand up for peace and support a U.S. return to the Iran deal!
Upcoming Programs on the Middle East situation
On Monday, January 31, in “A Better Way in the Middle East“, Trita Parsi contrasts the Abraham Accords with the Baghdad dialogue as a way forward for the US.
On Tuesday, February 1, Negar Mortazavi and Assal Rad evaluate “The U.S. and Iran: The Nuclear Deal and Beyond“, with a comment by Sen. Ed Markey.
Yours for Peace in the Middle East.
Cole Harrison is the Executive Director of Massachusetts Peace Action
A Better Way in the Middle East
Massachusetts Peace Action
With decreased U.S. presence in the Middle East, diplomatic efforts in the region have rapidly increased, fostering talk and cooperation. The Baghdad dialogue, as it is known, has allowed Middle Eastern nations to stand on their own, shedding their dependence on the U.S. and American military involvement.
On Monday, January 31st, we will be joined by Trita Parsi to discuss how the Baghdad dialogue is essential in mitigating America’s influence in the Middle East. He will discuss his article, in which he details the importance of such independent diplomacy and the unfavorable alternative of the Abraham Accords both for the U.S. and Middle Eastern nations.
In his own words: “[I]f the Biden administration is serious about reducing America’s military footprint in the Middle East, then the choice between the Baghdad dialogue and the Abraham Accords is clear. The former will rely on regional resources and leadership without American involvement. The latter will give new life to Middle Eastern rivalries that are bound to drag the United States back into the quicksands.”
Trita Parsi is an award-winning author and the 2010 recipient of the Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order. He is an expert on US-Iranian relations, Iranian foreign politics, and the geopolitics of the Middle East. He is the co-founder and executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, and founder and former president of the National Iranian American Council.
Parsi has followed Middle East politics through work in the field and extensive experience on Capitol Hill and at the United Nations. He is frequently consulted by Western and Asian governments on foreign policy matters.
