Tehran, IRNA – The readiness to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and its permanent membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) are indicators of the fact that the 13th administration of the Islamic Republic of Iran is pursuing a balanced foreign policy, an analyst believes.
Nozar Shafiei told IRNA on Saturday that Iran’s newly-elected President Ebrahim Raisi’s first foreign trip to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, in order to take part in the 2021 SCO Summit and his remarks at the event are in the eyes of experts and diplomats as signals, which show the path of Iran’s foreign policy direction within the future four years.
He also pointed out to a recent agreement between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran on inspection of Iranian nuclear facilities, noting that there are some signals in West-Iran relations, which signify improvement of mutual ties especially when it comes to their efforts to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Evaluating the messages sent from other signatories to the JCPOA to Tehran as promising, he argued that hopes for revival of the nuclear deal translate into the situation that the Iranians have participated in the 2021 SCO Summit while enjoying a better condition.
The university professor went on to say that permanent membership of Iran in the SCO also translates into being a member of an important regional organization that plays a key role at both regional and international levels.
One of the reasons behind refusal of Iran’s full membership in the SCO was that the Islamic country was targeted by UN sanctions, the analyst said.
According to the expert, the organization can assist the Islamic Republic, when it comes to defending national security and foreign policy of Iran in the face of foreign threats.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has the ability to help the Islamic Republic and nullify the United States’ political and economic pressures, he said, adding that organizations like the SCO facilitate peaceful relations among member states and protect their security and interests.
Source: Islamic Republic News Agency – IRNA
