Lesson to Iranians From Trump’s Visit

Date: 23 May 2017 - 21:30

News ID: ۳۹۸۷۵

PARIS (Dispatches) -- France wants to develop its political dialogue with Iran in the hope that it will lead to constructive efforts to solve regional crises, its foreign ministry said, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump lambasted Tehran.
Trump singled out Iran in Saudi Arabia and Occupied Palestine as a key source of funding and support for militant groups in the Middle East, the day after Hassan Rouhani won a second term as Iran's president.
Foreign Minister "Jean-Yves Le Drian will work towards developing political dialogue that should be part of a constructive approach with regard solving regional crises," the ministry said in response to question on whether Paris agreed with Trump.
Paris, which is at odds with Iran over the crisis in Syria, took one of the hardest lines against Tehran during negotiations between Iran and major powers in 2015, but has been quick to restore trade ties.
It has said it backs Trump's call to strengthen the monitoring of the deal, but has reassured France's commitment to its implementation, including the lifting of sanctions.
New French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Rouhani for his re-election on Saturday and said this reinforced the hope his government would apply the international nuclear agreement.
But Trump’s visit to Riyadh and Tel Aviv sent a different message to Iranians. The Principlists were right: Regardless of what Tehran does, the Americans are hell-bent on demonizing them. The U.S. administration’s rhetoric, combined with the idea of an "Arab NATO,” all suggest as much.
While Pentagon chief James Mattis has claimed that "everywhere you look if there is trouble in the region, you find Iran,” it is rather the Saudis and their Persian Gulf partners that involved in every regional conflict. Yet, the U.S. seems inclined not only to give them a free pass, but also to support their similarly destructive actions, particularly in Yemen.
The Iranians are observing Trump’s regional trip with a raised eyebrow. Viewed from Iran, his words and actions in Riyadh seem hypocritical. Standing next to Saudi FM Adel al-Jubeir, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called for Iran to respect "the rights of Iranians to freedom of speech, to freedom of organization, so that Iranians can live the life that they deserve.”
However, Iranians were quick to point out, that unlike Saudi Arabia, their country had held elections, and one of its poorest provinces had elected hundreds of female city and village councilors.
Meanwhile, Rouhani’s team has continuously expressed an interest in dialogue with its Persian Gulf Arab counterparts. But today, emboldened by a U.S. administration more concerned with tactical gains than a strategic vision, Riyadh may not be as inclined to reciprocate.