Post deal, Iran is facing a new era

The world can breathe a collective sigh now that a nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 has been reached.

Even at this stage, however, there is still opposition to the deal in both Iran and the U.S.. It should be said, however, that is highly unlikely that the U.S. Congress will reject the deal after it has been endorsed by the United Nations.

The United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed Vienna agreement on July 20, said that all the sanctions related to Iran’s nuclear program be lifted upon the implementation.

A very promising future, especially in the economic sector, awaits Iran if diplomacy can remain open at this juncture.

For the first time since the revolution in 1979, diplomacy played a great role to solve this nation’s disputed nuclear file with the Western powers and to prevent another war in the region.

A testament to change

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, with his skills and ability, is testament to the changes in Iran’s foreign policy which now sees engaging the world as important. The Vienna agreement was a direct result of this diplomacy which has been endangered over the years.

The outcome of the negotiations were also spurred on by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, much to the chagrin of hardliners in the Revolutionary Guards and those among the clerical elite.

A sustainable diplomacy and its continuation is exactly what is expected of Iran’s hierarchy in the near future. As much as fixing the economy is important for Iran as the direct result of this nuclear agreement, for the Western powers it is also important to engage with Tehran on regional issues.

Raising expectations

Furthermore, the nuclear negotiations highlighted the skill of Iran’s Foreign Ministry which raises expectations for the future. The “trade diplomacy” with both the West and the Gulf and getting engaged with them in order to find partners that will help bring in foreign direct investment and smooth Iran’s reintegration into the global economy is expected if the diplomacy continued.

The nuclear deal affirms President Rowhani’s vision that Iran is stronger through diplomacy and engagement, not threats and endless conflicts. Iran’s Arab neighbors cautiously welcomed the nuclear deal and have been waiting to see when they will be affected. It may be that the next strategy is to increase engagement with other countries, especially Iran’s neighbors.

With the end to Iran’s nuclear negotiations, now is the time for solving regional matters and the coming months will tell us how this conflict is to play out.

________________

Camelia Entekhabi-Fard is a journalist, news commentator and writer who grew up during the Iranian Revolution and wrote for leading reformist newspapers. She is also the author of Camelia: Save Yourself by Telling the Truth - A Memoir of Iran. She lives in New York City and Dubai. She can be found on Twitter: @CameliaFard