BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

THE UNITED STATES , IRAN AND THE NEW CONUNDRUM IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Author: A.K.M. Anisur Rahman

DOI Link: https://www.doi.org/10.56888/BIISSj2019v40n3a5

ABSTRACT

Tensions are rising progressively over the last couple of years in the Middle East as the acrimony in the relationship between the United States (US) and Iran is mounting. The US pulled itself out of the nuclear deal last year, imposed economic sanctions and took initiatives to cut off Iran’s oil exports. In the rejoinder against the moves by the US, Iran has threatened to end compliance with its obligations under the 2015 nuclear deal with six world powers. With this backdrop, this paper attempts to discuss how the regimes in the US and Iran contributed to build-up the current tension. It also analyses the current negotiations between the two countries in details and explores the opportunities of utilizing Track II diplomacy to aid the regular diplomatic efforts. It comes up with the recommendation that diplomatic efforts are to be wielded to reintegrate Iran into the international community so that it becomes more subject to international norms, regulations and laws. This paper concludes that the Iranian government is to be convinced to open up to create an environment where the Iranian people would be able to flourish and socialize across the world.