The talks slated for today between the United States and Iran on Iraq may usher an era of new hope in the middle east as the two sides will be talking to each other for the first time after the 1979 revolution. The relations between the two have been quite tense since then. The US and Iranian envoys in Baghdad, Ryan Crocker and Hassan Kazemi Qomi are meeting in the home of PM Nouri Maliki. The United States has taken a very positive stand by not insisting on any pre-conditions for the talks. Ayatollah Khomeini, father of 1979 Iranian revolution had termed USA as “Great satan”, in fact he used to call America a greater satan than Israel.

US-Iran Talks: Issues

1. Iranian support to the terrorist activities in Iraq

The United States has been accusing Iran for its role in supporting Al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations in Iraq. There is some evidence of Iranian sympathies being with the insurgents opposed to America not only in Iraq but else where as well.

2. American support to anti-Iran organizations within and beyond Iran

Similarly, Iran would be justified in claiming that the United States too is involved in several spying operations against Iranian interests. It is good that the issue of Iran’s nuclear program is not on agenda. Iran would do well if it herself adheres to its oft-repeated argument against undue American interference in the domestic affairs of other countries. By the same yardstick, Iran should also keep herself away from the ‘essentially domestic affairs’ of Iraq. It is indeed difficult for Iran to stay neutral in this scenario but by doing so, Iran can earn lot of good will for itself.

3. Iranian Interests in Iraq-Legitimate concerns

Iran certainly has some rights under international law to see that Shias in Iran are not discriminated against but when a predominantly Shia government is already in power, concerns for the safety of Shia majority should not bother it too much though it cannot be denied that the frustration and anger of Sunnis have posed some very genuine threats to the Shia population after the fall of Saddam Hussain.

4. American & Iranian Interference in the domestic affairs of Iraq
It cannot be denied that both America and Iran are guilty of interfering in the domestic affairs of Iraq. Now is an opportunity for them to retreat.

5. United States withdrawal from Iraq

The United States should also realize the gravity of the situation and may assure Iran that it will be out of Iraq by the end of 2008 if not before. In any case, President Bush is under pressure from the democrats to give some timetable about United States withdrawal. The U.S. assurance will create a new hope in the entire region and will lead to greater diplomatic pressures on Iran on the issue of internal security within Iraq.

6. Expect No Miracles out of US-Iran Talks

It is true that no miracles can be expected from these talks as the two sides may not be willing to really move forward from their stated positions yet a beginning is to be made somewhere. The whole world would look forward to these talks with some hope and President Bush and President Ahmadinejad will do a service to the humanity by surprising all of us in demonstrating positive attitude against each other. Iran’s unequivocal declaration on the issue of no support to terrorism in Iran will not be any concession from it to the United States, it will in fact mean a gift to the people of Iraq who do deserve some peace now. It will be good politics and great diplomacy for Iran and will surely go a long way in furthering Iranian interests in the long run.

Verdict:

Unexpected results do sometimes come out of diplomatic talks if the same are done with the sincerity of purpose. The United States should realize that invasion of a country in the new international order may be easy but staying in the occupied territories against the wishes of the natives is always a bad bargain. The United States should have learnt this lesson in Vietnam itself but in any case four years fresh experience in Iraq has itself been quite depressing. The United States’ image has gone down and has damaged President Bush’s standing as statesman and America’s claim as the leader of the civilized world. Let both Iran and America do something to get back their lost prestige. Road to peace may be difficult one but is it really impossible to achieve peace in Iraq?