Lectures

Iran & the US: The Way Forward

Ambassador Mousavian presented a speech to approximately 380 US military personnel, including colonels, at the US Army War College on June 18, 2015. In his speech, he discusses the following:

  • Iran’s major national security threats and priorities
  • 19 reasons why Iran distrusts the US
  • The the origins of the Iranian nuclear program and current status of Iran’s nuclear talks
  • 10 suggestions as a way forward for better US-Iran relations

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“Iran & the US: The Way Forward,” The US Army War College, June 18, 2015.

Articles, Publications

Why doesn’t Iran trust the US?

Top-ranking diplomats from Iran and the world powers are currently engaging in intensive talks to narrow their differences and reach a comprehensive nuclear deal by July 1. The main obstacle to attaining such an agreement is the fundamental lack of trust that exists between the two sides. If there was trust, the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) would have been enough to quell any concerns regarding the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program. Currently, all sticking points are related to measures beyond the NPT. The sustainable solution is for both sides to take confidence-building measures to ease the suspicions they have of each other. While US qualms with Iran are well known in the West, it is vital for the US public to gain a better understanding of the reasons for Iranian antipathy toward the US government.

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“Why doesn’t Iran trust the US?” Hossein Mousavian, Al Monitor, June 23, 2015.

Articles, Publications

Building confidence, implications of the nuclear deal with Iran

On April 2, 2015, Iran and the P5+1 reached a framework agreement that ensures intrusive transparency and confidence building measures on Iran’s nuclear program in return for a lifting of all nuclear-related sanctions and respecting the legitimate rights of Iran for enrichment, with continued talks until the June 30 deadline toward a comprehensive deal. This initial agreement is a positive step toward ending 12 years of contention over Iran’s nuclear program. The next few weeks will be particularly difficult, as thorny technical issues are negotiated and specific phasing out of sanctions is agreed upon. While the drama over the nuclear talks will continue for the next few weeks until the comprehensive agreement is reached and goes into effect, we have to look at the post-deal environment. This includes the implications for Iran’s nuclear program for the next ten to 25 years; confidence building and nuclear non-proliferation; and Iran’s relations with the West and the region.

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“Building confidence, implications of the nuclear deal with Iran,” Hossein Mousavian, Security Times, June 1, 2015.