Name? Hossein Amir-Abdollahian
Westphalian identity? Iranian
Age? 57
Why is he in the news? Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian stated today that a new nuclear deal is within reach if the West shows “good will”. He made this statement after his delegation submitted two proposals during the 7th round of negotiations. One is about reducing sanctions against Iran and the other, for Iran to roll back its measures to increase uranium after the US pulled out of the JCPOA under Trump.
Why do we care? Nuclear negotiations are the best negotiations. They are so flashy and seem so important. But they are so 20th century! Hypersonic missiles or slaughter bots are all the rage now and an actual threat to the world. Unlike nuclear weapons they are not about complete and mutual destruction but much more sophisticated and precise. Fun times ahead, but let’s focus on nuclear for now …
Why should you care? Amir-Abdollahian proposals show a newly found intention in Iran after this summer’s election of a more conservative candidate to find a solution to this sanctions-nuclear weapons stalemate. Overall, the everlasting negotiations will not make you care too much. You should care 2/10.
Who else cares? Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. Israel is not a party to the negotiations and sees any development concerning Iran and nuclear very seriously. This perspective was reinforced when ex-atomic energy chief, Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani, confirmed that Iran’s former top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, assassinated by Israel, formed part of the strategy to develop a nuclear weapon.
Any further comments? Adding pressure on Amir-Abdollahian’s government is the looming water crisis in Iran. A few days ago protests re-erupted against the government, resulting in 67 arrests. The water crisis is not directly linked to the sanctions, but technologies that could ease the situation cannot be imported and cost money that Iran does not have, both due to the sanctions. What an incentive for Amir-Abdollahian to propose this offer …
