Speaking Wednesday at the Hudson Institute, US special envoy for Iran Brian Hook says that the US goal is to negotiate a major treaty with Iran covering a wide variety of issues, including its missile program and its “regional behavior.”
Hook conceded that Iran has repeatedly said they are not interested in negotiations because they consider the US pulling out of the P5+1 nuclear deal as proof they’re acting in bad faith. To that, Hook said that the US would impose more sanctions until they get what they want.
Hook also argued that the negotiations the US seeks now would be a proper, real treaty, instead of a “personal agreement between two governments like the last one,” which appears to mean the US would actually honor this one.
The timing of the comments, just a week ahead of the UN General Assembly, may suggest the US is trying to get negotiations going on the sideline of the meeting. Iran, however, has shown little interest in negotiations, and with the US having asked them several times over the past months, they likely don’t feel any serious pressure to accept talks quickly.
What exactly would be a difference in this round? First agreement was not a casual deal on a personal level, and it was more legaly binding then a mere treaty between US and Iran. It has been sanctioned by UN SC, snd thus has the highest international law status.
Any point in renegotiating? If UN SC rescinds its decision, and clears the way for new negotiations — it will be possible.
It is also impossible in todays world for countries to unilaterally disarm. Missiles are part of conventional defense technology, and how can Iran accept negotiating. There is no such thing ss “behaviour” in international relations. This is school discipline terminology. Countries actions are either legal or illegal. So, further sanctions to force someone to unilaterally capitulate — have been illegal since Nuremburg. But such things as law and legality are mere annoyances to the ambitions of chosen superhumans. But Hubris has already given birth to the Nemesis, and it stalks the arrogant, enamored by the sound of their own voice.
Surprise, the US wants more, wants its every desire, and is not willing to give anything for that. Will Iran “comply?”
Well, no. It doesn’t work that way. Never has, never will.
Can we get real?
We are not a reality-based country–we are the EXCEPTIONAL nation, hence such a gonzo idea from Mr. Hook.
The United States talks out of Israel’s ass.
You would have thought the US elite would be embarrassed to be in that position but no, as long as they are being paid they do not care, even when the rest of the world sees that relationship exactly for what it is, a corrupt government, paid off by another corrupt government, publicly and right in the face of the government agencies who are meant to stop this kind of rubbish.
Hey the USS Missouri is still available, the Iranians should insist on signing their unconditional surrender on the deck of that ship https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Missouri_(BB-63)
The Iranian delegation should just say, ‘is that all?’ after every U.S. demand.
US: ‘Stop your bad behavior as defined by us’, A. ‘Is that all?’
US: ‘No missiles of any kind, no modern weapons, you are to be defenseless’, A. ‘Is that all?’
Iran should be inclined to accept America’s generous offer to sit down and come up with an acceptable solution to it’s many problems. No one thought America and North Korea could avoid war but,in the end diplomacy is being used to avert war in that region. Iran cannot rely on Russia to protect its interests while ,Russia’s busy selling weapons and defense systems to the very Sunni nations it’s fighting in Syria .It’s Saudi Arabia and Turkey that are supplying the fighters and weapons that where used to kill the Iranian and Hezbollah militants fighting to keep Assad in power. It’s also the King of Saudi Arabia that visited Russia on a historic visit and signed a massive arms deal with Russia. It’s also Turkey that bought a missile defense system from Russia that’s manned by Russian military engineers that caused the cancellation of the F-35’s America was to sell them. Netanyahu also visited Russia and made a deal with Putin, to inform him when they would bomb Iranian and Hezbollah positions in Syria and, remove them from the Golan Heights territory bordering Syria. Let me ask Iran what kind of ally allows, the people it’s supposedly there to support to be ,bombed by its worst enemy because, Putin made an agreement with Netanyahu? What kind of ally sells weapons to the very Sunni nations that are supplying the fighters and weapons to the people trying to destroy you? If Russia was told that Israel was going to bomb you ahead of time and then you get bombed, what does that tell you? Everyone on this site always talks about America throwing the Kurds under the bus but ,how about what Russia’s doing to the Iranians? All I’m saying is they’re all the same ,just different flags .Anyone dumb enough to believe Russia didn’t go to Syria to showcase it’s military hardware to sell to the enemies of its allies is blind because, it happened.
“To that, Hook said that the US would impose more sanctions until they get what they want”.
That is diplomacy? Diplomacy my foot.
von Clausewitz who knew some about wars wrote that wars often start when one party of diplomatic talks does not get what it wants at the proverbial table.
The problem for Trump is that almost all countries, including Israel, have at least questioned the wisdom of his pulling out of the nuclear agreement with Iran. The exceptions are Saudi Arabia and its poodles on the Arabian Peninsula.
That has absolutely no effect on the Trump administration.
Trump ran on un-doing the nuclear treaty simply because ,it was Obama that negotiated it. The people in America along, with help from the Russians meddling ,secured his victory and he pulled out like he said he would. The real question is why did Russia help Trump get elected knowing he wanted to pull out of the Iranian nuclear deal? Is it because he said NATO was obsolete and that was music to Putin’s ears? Why isn’t anyone asking these questions aswell?
“The people in America along, with help from the Russians meddling” same old lies.
Putin cares about Russia-the USA is always against it regardless of the “government” and Putin knows it.
He even said he preferred Trump to win the presidency in Helenski or now you don’t trust even his own words.I deal in facts not conspiracy theories based on my own perspectives, Facts.
Hillary hated all men including Putin, that’s why.
“Preferred Trump to win the presidency” /= “took specific actions to assist Trump in winning the presidency.”
Not at all. The US press recorded this, but the question answered was only “did you prefer Trump?” and Putin said he preferred someone willing to work with Russia, not an enemy. He did not answer the second part asking if he interfered. He had already often said that Russia was willing to work with whoever the Americans chose and did not expect much change with a changed administration.
As a matter of “fact” do you really think the US elections are so badly run that any outsider can change the result? (Perhaps you prefer not to answer!)
Assuming the “Russian meddling” thesis for the sake of argument, how it would relate to Iran is obvious.
For example: “When US Sanctions Backfire: Russia and Iran Partner Up In $2.5 Billion Deal.”
To the extent that Iran can’t trade with the EU, the US, et al., Russia gets more trade and better terms with Iran, including but not limited to arms sales, infrastructure, etc. And strategically, Iran makes a nice buffer between Russia and US-friendly Gulf states.
At least somebody on this forum understands how this works .God Speed Mr.Knapp.
There are military, monetary, and political beachheads. Israel is one and Iran is indeed potentially one too. Further East: Malaysia and S. Korea.
There’s only one thing that’s not factually right, Uncle Sam, and that has to do with “meddling” in the 2016 presidential elections. If anyone did, it was Israel, who’s been “meddling” in US elections for years. Trump won because the majority of voters chose him over the murderous, corrupt Hillary, who would’ve started a 3rd World War, had she won.
Of course, Putin likes Trump and was happy he was elected. Trump also said NATO was obsolete (he’s right; NATO is obsolete) and that was music to Putin’s ears.
I would not be surprised to learn that Putin expected Ms. Clinton to harp on Crimea whereas Mr. Trump would not.
I am very surprised by Trump’s current Ukraine policy. Without NATO assistance it cannot bear fruit.
Will our “global” behavior be part of the bargaining with Iran?
US Seeks to Negotiate a Broad Treaty With Iran
from the link–
The 2015 deal was an executive agreement that was not ratified by the U.S. Senate and covered only Iran’s nuclear program. A treaty would require approval by the Senate.
Avoiding responsibility is par for the course with the do-nothing Senate, which is bound by the Constitution to advise and consent on important international agreements, AKA treaties. Prior to the Iran executive agreement there were two with Iraq. The US in 2008 had two agreements with Iraq. They were not considered treaties and so were simply signed by the president (Bush 43) exercising his “executive privilege.”
Nov 19, 2008
–a withdrawal of forces agreement: “United States Forces shall withdraw from all Iraqi territory no later than December 31, 2011.”. . .here
Senator Obama had won the presidential election by this time, but at no time when the agreement was being negotiated did the US Senate, with Obama as the leading Dem and Biden (to become VP) as the Foreign Affairs Chairman, at no time did the Senate attempt to fulfill its Congressional duties to advise and consent to this important agreement, this treaty. So it was all sort of under the table, on the US side. In Iraq it was debated in the parliament. Democracy in action there! Now Obama gets the blame for pulling out because nobody knows the facts, or perhaps they don’t want to know the facts. Obama made a halfhearted attempt to retain troops but by 2011, thanks to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq was a full ally with Iran and keeping US troops in Iraq was not going to happen.
also with Iraq, another executive agreement
Nov 17, 2008
— a Strategic Framework Agreement: “the Parties shall continue to foster close cooperation concerning defense and security arrangements without prejudice to Iraqi sovereignty over its land, sea, and air territory.”. . .here
the US goal is to negotiate a major treaty with Iran covering a wide variety of issues, including its missile program and its “regional behavior.”
In the new US State Dept terrorism report here Iran is again slammed for its anti-American behavior including:
>Iran remained the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism [never mind ISIS & al-Qaeda] and continued to support attacks against Israel.
>It maintained its terrorist-related and destabilizing activities through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Qods Force and the Lebanon-based terrorist group Hizballah.
>Iran is responsible for intensifying multiple conflicts and undermining the legitimate governments of, and U.S. interests in, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen. In particular, Iran and Hizballah are emerging from the Syria conflict emboldened and with valuable battlefield experience that they seek to leverage across the globe.
That’s the important part of the US baloney that Iran is expected to negotiate away. It ain’t gonna happen. The US is just sick and tired of being one-upped by Iran in the Middle East and wants revenge, but Iran is strong and has powerful allies.
ADDED:
Juan Cole correctly says “Annual State Dept. Report on decline of Terrorism forgets to Thank Iran and Hizbullah” because “Worldwide terrorist attacks decreased by 23% in 2017” according to the State Dept report.
In track and field that is known as “having the inner track”. Iran is located in Asia. We are not.
Geography is not dead even in the age of ICBM’s.
Why is Iran always in the target sights? One reason is sufficient: Iran has dared- DARED- to stand up to the US and reject our ‘negotiations’. Iran has every reason in the world to not trust us on any level and we know it- but when they air that to the world it makes us look bad and of course we can’t have that so we do what we always do: threaten and sanction and bully until we get our way. I’m pretty sure Iran isn’t going to cave in, and short of all-out war we’re going to just have to realize that’s the way it is. Of course, other nations might get the idea that THEY can ‘opt out’ of our influence as well and that’s what scares the pants off of Washington.
There is no end to the arrogance of the USA.
Iran would be ill advised to agree to any treaty with the United States. The U.S.’s word is worthless.