By: Shahriar Kia (Political analyst)
The cabinet ministers of Iranian President
Hassan Rouhani received a confidence vote recently in this regime’s parliament.
16 out of 17 ministers were approved after many reports indicated Rouhani
reviewed the list extensively with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
However, an evaluation of this slate of names
proves this cabinet will render no alternations and represents the very impasse
the entire regime is facing. The next four years will, in fact, be worse than
the previous.
Foreign Affairs
Mohammad Javad Zarif has retained his post as
foreign minister, considering his role in negotiating the nuclear agreement
with the P5+1, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Despite Iran’s threats of relaunching its
nuclear drive in the case of US President Donald Trump finding the regime in
non-compliance with the JCPOA, Rouhani himself has gone the limits to explain
the importance of this pact for Tehran.
“My first priority is to safeguard the JCPOA.
The main role of our foreign minister is to stand alongside this deal,” he
explained.
Although the deal is rightfully criticized for
its loopholes and shortages, Iran understands very well how the current
circumstances would be far worse.
While claiming the ability to kick-start 20%
uranium enrichment in a matter of days, Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization chief
Ali Akbar Salehi made a complete U-turn in emphasizing Tehran’s willingness to
stick to the deal in the case of Washington deciding to leave come October.
Such desperate remarks from Iran are made
despite the US increasing the heat with new comprehensive sanctions
specifically targeting the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC). Further measures are
seen following the Vienna visit by Nikki Haley, the US Ambassador to the UN,
demanding Iran open its military sites to inspectors of the International
Atomic Energy Agency.
Pressures escalated on Iran as international
experts such as former IAEA deputy Olli Heinonen and former IAEA inspector
David Albright, alongside three other specialists issued a report explaining
how the UN nuclear watchdog lacks the necessary tools to probe possible JCPOA
violations by Iran.
These experts specifically referred to the
highly controversial Parchin military complex located 30 kilometers southeast
of Tehran. Iran only agreed to provide samples extracted by its own experts and
continues to refuse access to foreign individuals.
Defense
The new Iranian defense minister is Amir
Hatami. Rumors indicate Rouhani and Khamenei have chosen this member of Iran’s
classic army due to their fear the IRGC being blacklisted as a terrorist
entity.
It is worth noting, however, that Hatami
joined the IRGC Basij paramilitary force at the age of 13 and has announced his
utter loyalty to the IRGC Quds Force and its ringleader, Qassem Suleimani.
The solution Hatami provides to confront the
regime’s slate of crises is focused mainly on developing Iran’s ballistic
missile program.
“During this period we will expand our missile
capabilities, especially ballistic and cruise missiles,” he explained recently.
This is another indication of a policy based
on developing missile power, dispatching IRGC and Basij members abroad, and
fueling foreign wars. This is a continuation of Tehran’s four-decade long
policy of spilling its own turmoil abroad through lethal meddling.
Hatami also enjoys Rouhani’s complete blessing
in providing full support for the IRGC.
“He is fully informed of the Defense Ministry
and its agenda. My particular request is for an increase in developing
particular weapons, especially missiles, considering their importance,” Rouhani
explained in recent remarks.
Again, more of the same.
Economics
Iran’s regime is heavily dependent on oil
exports revenues. Bijan Namdar Zangeneh has been called upon to continue his
role as oil minister, remaining the longest running individual in this post.
A minister for 26 years there are questions
over any meaningful development and changes for the better in the country’s oil
and gas sector. Iran is now riddled with mismanaged oil wells, uncontrolled
extractions and contracts with foreign companies that literally sell-off the
Iranian people’s interests.
According to Rouhani’s own remarks, this
regime is in desperate need of $200 billion of foreign investment for its oil
and gas industry. Two years into the JCPOA, Iran has received only $12 billion
in such deals.
The deal signed with France’s Total, valued at
$4.8 billion, comes with numerous strings attached and is under the continued
risk of US sanctions.
What needs comprehension is the fact that
investing in Iran is an economic issue at a first glance, with countless
political reservations. No foreign investor is willing to risk money in a
country ruled by a regime known for its ongoing warmongering, exporting
terrorism, and provoking confrontations throughout the Middle East and across
the globe, such as its nuclear/ballistic missile collaboration with North Korea.
Conclusion
All those having their fingers crossed in
Rouhani, being provided a second term by Khamenei, are already being
disappointed. July witnessed over 100 executions and over 50 others have been
sent to the gallows in August. This includes a 20-year-old man arrested at the
age of 15 for his alleged crime. Another recent case involved a hanging on
August 28th in a prison west of Tehran.
All foreign correspondents are realizing no
change is foreseeable from within this regime. The main message of Rouhani’s
new cabinet is this regime’s lack of any capacity for any meaningful
modification or amendment.
Any entity lacking the ability to change and
adapt has no future
Comments
Post a Comment