Threats And Opportunities

Tehran, April 5, IRNA - The Iranians are back to work today after a long holiday of the Iranian New Year that began on March 21. The New Year’s atmosphere this spring totally differs from that of the previous year. While many opportunities lie before the nation some threats are also lurking, the English-language newspaper Íran Dailyˈ said in its editorial on Saturday. With the government of Hope and Prudence at the helm, people are more hopeful of a better future both regarding domestic affairs as well as relations with other countries, particularly with Europe and the United States, it added. In order to flourish business, boost employment and remove economic hardships, President Hassan Rouhani’s administration has spared no efforts to settle the nuclear issue which, in turn, would pave the way for better relations with the outside world. Rouhani has thus far had a successful foreign policy performance. Some of the indices of his success include the Geneva deal and improvement of ties with Europe and even with the United States (for the first time in post-Revolution Iran, Rouhani was the first to talk to a US president), the editorial noted. For the first time after eight years of estrangement between Iran and the West, many top European officials visited Iran and expressed their willingness to promote ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Several European economic delegations have visited Iran and are exploring avenues of mutual cooperation. Many opportunities have emerged for foreign companies to work in Iran. Oil agreements have been revised to attract foreign investment. Sanctions are being lifted and hence foreign firms can invest in Iran without hesitation, the daily said. The Iranian Foreign Ministry team is busy finalizing the nuclear agreement for the removal of all sanctions, contrary to the previous team that held various rounds of talks without any result. In foreign relations, the prospect is clear and encouraging. To bring relief to the public, Rouhani has asked his ministers to fight corruption at all levels. This is while the previous administration recorded some of the biggest embezzlements in Iranian history. Despite earning the highest oil revenues, the previous administration left an empty treasury and countless incomplete projects for the present government. Rouhani is trying to allocate resources to accelerate the pace of industrial development by focusing on development projects that will create more job opportunities and bring about economic relief to the nation. These are only some of the opportunities before the nation in the current Iranian year. However, there are still domestic and foreign challenges that can only be overcome through national solidarity and unity. Aware of the challenges, Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has designated this year as the Year of Economy and Culture with National Determination and Jihadi Management. Although economic austerity measures have not been announced, it is not a hidden fact that the economic situation is not rosy. This can be turned around by fostering a national will, for the government needs the participation of all players to solve the economic problems. Its plans will produce result only when an appropriate economic culture prevails. With regard to the people, consumption patterns must change. Iranians are one of the world’s highest consumers of energy, which has no concordance between its population and production. If only wasteful consumption of energy is controlled, a huge relief will be brought about and the savings can be used for solving the problems of other sectors. Air pollution in metropolitan cities is another serious challenge that requires the cooperation of both the government and the nation. Let’s hope that in the current year, people in major cities will join hands to ensure clean air. Foreign policy challenges are mainly related to the nuclear deal. If the deal is fully implemented, sanctions will be lifted and the doors will open for constructive interaction with the entire world. Israel and the lobby of assorted groups with vested interests have emerged as the main enemy of the deal. There are also US senators and congressmen who, under the influence of the Israeli lobby, give priority to Israeli interests instead of their own. It is hoped that in the current year, American officials will work for their nation instead of Israel and stop obstructing the finalization of the nuclear deal. Overall, opportunities are ample but their fruition requires hard work, while threats are several, though not insurmountable. Future prospects are promising, but not without perils. National unity and solidarity are key to overcoming these perils, the editorial concluded./end