Iran’s reformist candidate has agreed to give the nuclear deal a “first chance”

The only reformist candidate in Iran’s presidential election has promised to try to choose a “first option” in the face of a nuclear deal with world powers if elected.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Abdolnaser Hemmati, the former governor of the central bank who is fighting hard rivals in Friday’s vote, said if he wins his priorities it would be to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, remove US sanctions and attract foreigners. investment.

“If the US returns to the commitments made under the JCPOA [the nuclear accord] and Iran can verify that sanctions have been lifted. . . it would be an important step in gaining confidence between Iran and the US, ”he said.

Polls show that Hemmati Ebrahim Raisi is making a distant second in front of a tough opponent and the odds appear to be piled up against the chances of a huge victory. The 64-year-old man said he had already asked Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s chief diplomat and one of the architects of the nuclear deal, to stay in his government.

He added that if sanctions were lifted and conditions improved, it would not be “impossible” to hold a meeting with US President Joe Biden. “Overall, I don’t rule it out [the possibility of talks with the US] but it will depend on the behavior and actions of the U.S., “he said.” My priority is to remove sanctions. This is very important, “he added.

Hemmati’s comments underscore what is at stake in the election, and after four years of enemies between Tehran and the Trump administration, the differences between the reformist and his fierce rivals stand out.

Striker Raisi has suggested that if he wins, he will accept ongoing negotiations between Tehran and the other signatories to the nuclear deal – the UK, France, Germany, Russia and China – with a view to reaching an agreement that would lead to US re-entry. agreement and removal of penalties.

Analysts say Raisi, the head of the judiciary, is expected to take a much more conservative view and not prioritize relations with Western states. Raisi said his focus will be on strengthening domestic industrial production. This is more in line with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s top leader, with the attitude that many Iranians believe is in favor of Raisi. While Khamenei has the final say on all crucial foreign and security policies, the president can influence the direction Iran is taking.

Outgoing President Hassan Rouhani signed a nuclear deal in 2015, according to which Tehran agreed to strict limits on its nuclear activity in exchange for the US lifting its sanctions. But the deal collapsed in 2018 after Donald Trump unilaterally pulled the U.S. out of the deal and imposed sanctions on the Republic. Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign led to a severe recession in Iran, severely weakened the reformists who sided with the agreement, and pushed harder ones to maintain their commitment to the U.S..

Biden has vowed to return to the agreement when Iran fully complies with the agreement. But any possibility of mitigating the enemy is hampered by Iran’s refusal to support militant groups in the region and its refusal to support its increasingly sophisticated missile program.

Hemmati, an orally speaking technocrat who led the central bank during the crisis, said Iran’s economy could face sanctions. But he added that US sanctions would prevent the republic from developing at the pace needed to deal with Iran’s economic problems.

“We cannot have rapid and strong economic development in a closed environment. We need foreign technology, investment and finance, “he said.” Foreign policy should be Iran’s economic development, which would be my government’s top priority. “

Analysts say Hemmati has the only chance of victory if Raisi doesn’t get more than 50% of the vote. Then it would be a knockout and supporters of democracy could vote for a larger number of Iranians in favor of Hemmati.

The last-minute bid for the presidency took on importance after the authorities banned all major reformist candidates. But many of his Iranians have weakened their hopes for the past three years and believe it is a rupture that promises a nuclear deal that would bring prosperity and end individual years. As a result, pro-reformists say they will boycott the election among the predictions that participation in the presidential race from the 1979 revolution may be the lowest.

The Iranian election has an unprecedented history and those close to Hemmati remain optimistic. But his hopes are based on convincing disillusioned voters that their votes can make a difference.

“The relationship between the people and the state has weakened – it’s true. I’ve run to tell people that it can change, ”he said.

He said the vote is “fate day.” “It can open some windows of hope for people, we shouldn’t let those windows close,” he said. “If that happens, it’s not clear when they will reopen and what will happen before those windows reopen.”