CounterPunch Exclusives

CounterPunch Exclusives

Image by Levi Meir Clancy.

A Hopeless US Proposal

Donald Trump thinks a 15-point plan will end the war with Iran. Seems like a hope and a prayer. Predictably, Iran rejected it out of hand and has put forward its own plan, which the US will surely reject. Negotiations are not taking place despite Trump’s claims otherwise. All that is happening is that intermediaries are moving back and forth on what looks like mission impossible. The war goes on—Israel and the US continue to strike Iran, Iran continues to retaliate, few ships pass through the Strait of Hormuz, and the US and world economies take increasingly big hits.

Let’s look at what the US and Iran are proposing. According to Foreign Policy magazine, “Under Trump’s proposal, Iran would commit never to pursue nuclear weapons,” dismantle its three main nuclear facilities, and surrender all enriched uranium to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Tehran would also suspend ballistic missile production; limit the rest of its missile program; reopen the Strait of Hormuz; and stop funding regional proxy groups, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis.” If Iran agrees to the US plan, all sanctions on Iran would be lifted.

It’s easy to understand why Iran has rejected this plan. To start with, some parts of the plan appear to be the same as those put before the Iranians in failed negotiations that preceded Trump’s attack. Why he thinks Iran will accept them now is unclear. Iran has consistently rejected dismantling its nuclear program, stopping or giving up uranium enrichment, or limiting the range of its missiles.........

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