Alireza Sheikh Attar, a former Iranian diplomat, discussed the impact of the U.S. midterm elections on Iran-U.S. relations and the possibility of renewed military conflicts in an interview. He stated that analysts are considering whether the approach of Iran towards Washington could be influenced by the upcoming elections.
Sheikh Attar's Analysis on Confrontation and Negotiation
Sheikh Attar believes that the path of confrontation or negotiation depends on Washington's assessment of Iran's power. He emphasized that if Iran's position weakens, the possibility of a military attack exists, although he considers the success of a comprehensive U.S. attack unlikely. He referred to two existing theories in the U.S. regarding how to deal with Iran: one is the aggressive theory that includes military attack and occupation, and the other is the patience theory that emphasizes generational change and economic conditions.
The Fixed U.S. View on the Islamic Republic
Sheikh Attar also pointed out that the ultimate goal of the U.S. is to destroy the Islamic Republic of Iran. He stressed that changes in the U.S. presidential election do not affect this country's strategy towards Iran. He said: "We should not think that with the elections, our strategy towards the U.S. will change; because the U.S. strategy towards us does not change."
This former diplomat also noted the differences in the approaches of the Democratic and Republican parties, stating that these differences could affect the methods of resolving the Iran issue. He remarked that no country has resisted sanctions as much as Iran has, and this resistance helps maintain Iran's foundational power.
Diplomacy and Soft Power
Sheikh Attar referred to changes in diplomatic theories in recent decades, stating that today's diplomacy is no longer solely based on the balance of power. He emphasized the importance of lobbying and soft power in international equations and said that Iran must make the best use of these tools. He added: "We have experience in hard warfare and have also achieved indigenous technology, but we must strengthen our capabilities in soft warfare as well."
In conclusion, Sheikh Attar emphasized that Iran should not wait for the results of the U.S. congressional elections and should seek to strengthen its position in the international arena.
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