In foreign policy, every state has a duty to ensure the security of its people and its territory. In addition to this eternal objective, a world power like the United States is eager to maintain its hegemony in the places where it is established. Washington is seeking to push Iran back to maintain its influence in the Middle-East. Moreover, American decision-makers are aware that behind Iran lies Moscow.
Making Iran harmless
American foreign policy is currently elaborated by those who observers call “hawks”. They are supporters of an uncompromising line against the enemies of the United States. John Bolton, Donald Trump’s current National Security Advisor, is the embodiment of this. On 13 January, the Wall Street Journal reported that Bolton had asked in September for attack plans and military options to strike Tehran. The consideration of a military option is a clear indication that “hawks” aim to coerce Iran by all available means. On the diplomatic scene, the United States is organizing an anti-Iran rally in Poland next February. Israel, Washington’s unwavering ally, will participate in this meeting of heads of state. On the humanitarian front, American diplomats reported in early January that as long as Iran remains in Syria, the US will not provide financial help to rebuild Syria. The United States is mobilizing all the means at its disposal to achieve its foreign policy objectives.
The Iranian nuclear agreement
Although this agreement was Barack Obama’s pride, Donald Trump wants a new agreement. He seeks a much more binding agreement for Iran. In many respects, the agreement is respected, as evidenced by the reports published by the International Atomic Energy Agency. However, the military aspect is not, since Tehran frequently conducts tests on ballistic missiles. France has recently called on Iran to stop testing such missiles. On 13 January, the head of Iran’s nuclear programme announced that Iranian scientists had the possibility of enriching uranium to a level well above that allowed by the agreement. This announcement is an explicit and public token of unwillingness in front of the international community. Such announcement is an additional legal argument for the United States to isolate Tehran.
