Expert says expanded list of sanctioned companies not to affect Iran's nuclear talks
The expanded list of companies sanctioned by the U.S. with
regard to Iran's nuclear program unlikely to have any impact on the
nuclear negotiations, Senior fellow at Nanyang Technological
University's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, James
M. Dorsey told Trend.
On Dec. 12 the U.S. administration announced an expanded list of
companies and individuals that it said it would target to block
their trading activities around the world. Iran harshly reacted
towards the move, saying it damages the agreement reached in
Geneva.
Dorsey added that both Obama and Rouhani need to pacify domestic
opponents of a resolution of the Iranian nuclear crisis.
"By listing companies that have transgressed current sanctions on
Iran, Obama is throwing a bone to hardliners in the US Congress,"
Dorsey said. "By the same token, Rouhani has no choice but to
denounce the move."
He said both sides understand the needs of the other.
"As a result, as long as Rouhani can manage his domestic
detractors, this is unlikely to have any impact of the negotiations
themselves," Dorsey said.
The U.S. and its Western allies suspect Iran of developing a
nuclear weapon - something that Iran denies. The Islamic Republic
has on numerous occasions stated that it does not seek to develop
nuclear weapons, using nuclear energy for medical researches
instead.
Speaking about Iran and Russia deal on building more nuclear power
plants similar to Bushehr nuclear plant, Dorsey said this kind of
activity is of no interest to international community.
"Iran's peaceful use of nuclear power has never been an issue," he
said.
"Russian assistance to Iran in the building of nuclear power
stations with no risk of military application fall within the
parameters of Geneva. The issue in Geneva is the level of
enrichment which Russia as well as Iran have committed to," he
added.