The thaw in Iranian-American relations that was most recently manifested in a historic 15-minute phone call between presidents Barack Obama and Hassan Rouhani is an encouraging and welcome move that serves a reminder that efforts made towards diplomacy bring about returns, and perhaps most importantly, prevent the kind of bloody wars that America has brought on this region.
It could lead to the end of sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy, bring its nuclear programme under international supervision, and provide the growing nation with safe nuclear energy.
If Rouhani’s overtures to the West really do have the support of the powerful clerical establishment that calls the shots in Tehran, this may truly be a turning point in Iran’s relations with the West, and — as Iran’s neighbours may be hoping, with Arab states.
For the region, this marks a post-Ahmadinejad era that is likely to be welcomed in Arab capitals. Arab states are, however, also expected to be waiting for Rouhani to extend Iran’s hand of friendship in a similar way in order to address the points of contention on both shores of the Gulf.
Most urgent of these would be the war in Syria, the solution to which may be in the hands of Tehran.
America surely recognises the influence Iran wields in Damascus, and any ‘package deal’ with Iran should therefore not fail to seize the opportunity of ending the bloodshed in Syria in a way that is acceptable to all parties.
