The conversation of de-escalation of nuclear weapons between Iran and the U.S. and Europe continues. France reaffirmed the nuclear deal earlier this month, whilst highlighting concerns about Iran’s missiles not covered in the 2015 Tehran deal.
Having already anticipated this concern, Iranian Armed Forces spokesman Masoud Jazayeri said that “The condition for negotiating Iran’s missiles is the destruction of the nuclear weapons and long-range missiles of the United States and Europe,”
In other words, Iran is going to keep its missiles until the U.S. and Europe dismantle theirs since they claim it is a defensive deterrent. What we see here is a classic “no, you first, no you first” argument back from the days when playing outside was considered a fun activity.
President Donald Trump has threatened to bow out of the 2015 nuclear deal unless European allies “fix it” by influencing Iran to change its behavior in other areas. France has refused to on the grounds of not being a puppet and having concerns of their own.
It has been widely speculated that a peaceful solution between America and North Korea will require taking U.S. troops out of South Korea. If President Trump is successful in reaching a peaceful solution with Kim Jung Un, why can’t it be done with Iranian’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Al Khameni? After countless efforts to try and bring the troops home for good, another war in the Middle East would be a costly step backwards.
Without a clear strategy other than the Iran Nuclear deal, America faces massive casualties if they were to enter into armed conflict with Iran. By continuous involvement in the Syrian war we increase the likelihood of war with Iran. Getting out of the Syrian conflict is one way to ensure peaceful resolutions with Iran. Furthermore, America can make a consolidated effort to bring our troops home from the Middle East and to keep them home, and to make sure there are no more American military deaths added to the 6,757 American troops who have already been killed in the past two Middle-Eastern wars.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameni has threatened America with nuclear force in the past. Furthermore, Iran recently threatened Israel, that they would destroy Tel Aviv and kill Prime Minister Netanyahu if Israel attacked Iran. One can only speculate how serious these threats against American and Israel are. On one hand Iran is a dictatorship that oppresses its people who may not care about their well-being, on the other hand starting a nuclear war with either country would only cause irreparable damage to Iran. To avoid conflict with Iran, America should exit the proxy war we are a part of in Syria, get the troops that are within close proximity of Iran (Afghanistan and Iraq) home, and deter America and Israel’s tensions with Iran through peaceful resolutions.
There had been growing suspicions for years that Iran was getting ever closer to having nuclear weapons at their disposal. U.S. officials were convinced that every effort should be made to prevent Iran’s nuclear armament. In 2015, the Iran Nuclear Deal was implemented with the goal in mind of Iran complying with U.S. demands. The deal imposed harsh economic sanctions that have resulted in serious ramifications against the Iranian people as opposed to actually curtailing the threat of nuclear power.
Since the U.S. has enacted the sanctions, Iranian military spending has remained the same. However, Iranian civilians are ultimately feeling the burden. The Economist estimates, that 75 million citizens have been negatively affected by the sanctions. The sanctions have resulted in massive food shortages, and unemployment has rapidly increased.
These sanctions have not lessened Iran’s ability to arm themselves. Rather, they have significantly harmed the Iranian population. Furthermore, they have strengthened Iranian nationalism and increased anti-American sentiment. America’s increasing footprint in Iran is going to cause further suffering for the Iranian people, and elevate tension that may ultimately involve U.S. troop involvement. It was once said in Vietnam “Winning of Hearts and Minds” and it holds true presently, the increasing hatred of America can only yield deadly results.
Americans should be made aware of our involvement in other nations, and the potential conflicts that may ensue as a result. We should be putting pressure on our elected officials to scrutinize the decision of putting troops overseas in harm’s way. Hopefully one day we can bring all the troops home permanently.
