Iranians full of optimism about nuclear deal

A historic nuclear framework deal, agreed upon after 1.5 years of negotiations between Iran and six world powers, could indicate radical changes both in Iran’s political and economic future and in regional shifts and balances in the Middle East.

According to political analysts, the April 2 agreement, which marked a major breakthrough in a 12-year standoff between Iran and the West, is expected to make Iran an even stronger regional player. Iran already has a particularly large influence on developments in countries such as Iraq and Syria. 
 
Even though the agreement has not been finalized yet, the hopes of having a brighter economic future with the suspensions of economic sanctions created an atmosphere of victory and cheer on the streets and in the elite political circles of Iran yesterday.

Iranian experts saw the agreement as a positive and important step for both Tehran and Washington. Despite the fact that the agreement was signed between Iran and the P5+1 countries, Iranian experts focused on U.S.-Iran relations and saw it as a big political achievement, particularly for Tehran and Washington.

 “First of all, this shows Iran has managed to prove its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, which is the most important achievement of this agreement,” said Mohammad Hassan Khani, professor of international relations at Imam Sadeq University in Tehran. “There will be no room for Israeli propaganda to accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons anymore; this is the most important achievement for Iran.”

Khani also said if this agreement is to be finalized with the technical details in June, it will not only be a solution for the Iranian nuclear issue but it will also have very positive effects in the region.

“I think the agreement will pave the way for more Iranian engagement in solving regional problems, which will also bring Iran back into the game of international politics,” he said. 

Making a reference to the Iran and U.S. government’s shared regional fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Khani said, “Iran can play a very constructive role in combatting terrorism, bringing peace and stability to the region as a whole. That will be good news not only for Washington and Tehran but also for different countries of the region.”

Because the U.S. and EU nuclear-related sanctions will be suspended gradually following the investigations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors, European businessmen have already started new investment plans in Iran.

Iranian Businessman Reza Kami has said there have already been many business delegations from France, Germany and the U.K. who have visited Iran since last year. They especially are seeking opportunities to invest in the energy field.

Professor Khani also stressed the Iranian economy has entered a new phase with the agreement. “Without the sanctions, the economy will flourish,” he added. 

Economy Professor at Tehran University and former Iranian MP Mohammad Khoshchehre said, “This agreement shows that political dialogue is the best way for the U.S. to talk to Iran and vice versa; in a non-militaristic way.”

“The nuclear deal has showed the great capacity of Iran abroad and particularly in the region,” Khoshchehre said, adding there were still obstacles in the way to reach permanent peace in the region, such as Saudi Arabian policies.

Khoshchehre was more prudent on the economic dimension. “We won’t see the economic impacts in a short period of time, but in the middle to long run, we will see major changes in the economic field,” he said.