JCPOA best solution to Iran nuclear standoff: American scholar

In an interview with IRNA, Marvin Weinbaum, Scholar-in-Residence at Washnigton-based Middle East Institute said that there was no alternative to this agreement and fortunately the US administration at that time understood the importance of working diplomatically.

“I am hopeful that the agreement is kept on both sides,” the Illinois University professor noted.

He was of the view that the agreement was never meant to solve all problems between Iran and the US, rather it was meant to deal essentially with Iran’s ability to grow economically and for the international community to be sure that this was not going to be a nuclear arms race.

Praising the government of Iran, Weinbaum said many analysts in the US are pleased that Iran has a very competent government which realized that ultimately there is no alternative to the nuclear deal otherwise a very volatile and dangerous situation would be created in the region.

He added that it is good that Iran, the US and the international community were able to work out some arrangement because it is in nobody’s interest to indulge to any kind of armed conflict in the region as this would create situation of great uncertainty.

“I am very pleased that the Iranian President and foreign minister are really concerned about the long term ability of Iran to find partners in the region,” he said.

He was of the view that Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is highly regarded globally and also in the US as he made a great impression there as a person who certainly stood up for Iran’s interests always.

“He [Zarif] is the one with whom one could have an honest dialogue,” Weinbaum noted.

Commenting on Pakistan ties with the Saudi Arabia and Iran, the scholar said, 'Prime minister of Pakistan recognizes the importance of keeping balanced ties with Riyadh and Tehran. Whatever Pakistan’s relations are with Saudi Arabia, Iran is a strong and important neighbor which cannot be ignored.'

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