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Iran
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his wife Evan Ryan attend a ceremonial swearing-in with US Vice President Kamala Harris (right) in her ceremonial office on the White House campus January 27, 2021 in Washington, DC. Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken will name a key architect of the 2015 nuclear deal and national security advisor to former President Barack Obama as special envoy to Iran on Friday, a senior official told Associated Press.
Robert Malley is president and CEO of the International Crisis Group. During Obama’s presidency, he served as Middle East “point man” to the administration and was lead negotiator in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
He has a “track record of success negotiating constraints on Iran’s nuclear program” and Blinken is confident he “will be able to do that once again,” the anonymous official told AP.
The official announcement is expected to be made on Friday, but rumors of the appointment have been circulating for days, gaining support in some quarters and condemnation among Iran hawks.
“Rob Malley is an extremely knowledgeable expert with great experience in promoting U.S. security through diplomacy rather than war. He would be an excellent choice for the role of Iran envoy,” Democrat Senator Bernie Sanders tweeted on January 22.
Republican Senator Tom Cotton called Malley a “radical” with a “long track record of sympathy for the Iranian regime & animus towards Israel.”
Former US President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018 and his administration, led by his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, launched a “maximum pressure” campaign of sanctions in an attempt to force Tehran to renegotiate a broader, tougher agreement that would include Iran’s missile program and regional activities.
In response, Tehran reinvigorated its nuclear program. Earlier this month, it stated that it has begun enriching uranium at 20 percent, a short technical step from weapons-grade level. However it emphasized that steps were “reversible” if the US returns to the deal and lifts the sanctions.
Tehran and Washington came close to the verge of war on a number of occasions during Trump’s tenure, most noticeably with the assassination of top Iranian General Qasem Soleimani at Baghdad International Airport in January of last year. Trump’s bellicose language has been met with equally threatening behaviour from Tehran, with hardliners and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) taking centre stage and leaving little space for negotiation.
Malley has expressed his worries about the Trump administration exiting the JCPOA. “Iran's growing stockpile & other breaches are worrying. But it's not irreversible break from its commitments. Return to JCPOA under different administration is possible,” he tweeted on September 9, in response to Pompeo.
US President Joe Biden is expected to return to the JCPOA, though both sides want the other to take the first step.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has signaled Iran may return to the nuclear deal if US sanctions are lifted.
However, in his first press briefing as Secretary of State, Blinken said that Iran will have to return to the deal first. “President Biden has been very clear saying if Iran comes back into full compliance with its obligations under the JCPOA, the United States would do the same thing,” he said on Wednesday.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded to Blinken on Twitter: “Reality check for Secretary Blinken: The US violated JCPOA, blocked food/medicine to Iranians, punished adherence to UNSCR 2231,” he stated, referring to the UN Security Council Resolution backing the nuclear deal.
“Throughout that sordid mess, Iran abided by JCPOA, only took foreseen remedial measures. Now, who should take 1st step? Never forget Trump's maximum failure,” he added.
The United Nations Secretary-General acknowledged the difficulties of the impasse and urged both sides to find a solution.
"I do not expect an immediate solution, but I believe everyone who has subscribed to the JCPOA and other interested parties must work together to reduce uncertainties, address the difficulties and obstacles and to progressively move towards a situation where we can have an accord that is, in my opinion, essential for the peace and stability of the Gulf and the whole world," Antonio Guterres said in a press conference on Thursday.
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