Joint Virtual Session between the Studies Center and New Zealand Institute of International Affairs (NZIIA)

The joint virtual session between the Institute for Political and International Studies(IPIS) and the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs (NZIIA) titled” the JCPOA and Multilaterism” was held on Tuesday , December 15 , 2020.

The joint virtual session between the Institute for Political and International Studies(IPIS) and the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs (NZIIA) titled” the JCPOA and Multilaterism” was held on Tuesday ,  December 15 , 2020. The session was attended by Dr.Mohammad KazemSajjadpour, Deputy Minister of MOFA & President of IPIS; Mr.Saeid Khatibzadeh , Foreign Ministry Speaker and President of Foreign Ministry Public Policy Center;  Kambiz Sheikh Hassani ,Senior Expert at the Studies Center-JCPOA, Mr.Anand Satyanand, President of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs (NZIIA); Professor Rob Rabel, Vice-President of the Institute;Mr.Rouben Steff, University Professor; Dr.Leon Goldsmith, Senior Expert at Middle East Studies; Ms.Negar Partow, Professor at New Zealand Massey University and Ms.Melanie Thornton, Executive Administrator at the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs .

Discussed at the session were the JCPOA subject and the European countries’ obligations for maintaining the agreement and the impacts of Biden’s taking office on the future of the JCPOA. Also it was stated the illegal U.S. exit from the agreement has created tensions in the region. Also it was stressed that the three European states’ inaction in fulfilling their commitments under the JCPOA after US exit was indicative of lack of independence and them not keeping their promises. In addition, it was noted that Iran is ready to fully meet its commitments under the JCPOA if the US reenters the agreement and the EU and the US fully undertake to meet their commitments. Furthermore, it was emphasized that Iran’s gradual stepping back from its commitments was a measured step according to articles 26 and 36 of the JCPOA which took place against the US and west non-commitment. Of course, all this is reversible.

Also, the necessity was stressed for cooperation, dialogue, strengthening bilateral relations and multilaterism for overcoming all regional and international issues. It was noted Trump administration’s policies and the US unilaterism has undermined multilaterism  and the shifts in the White House can bring on significantly serious effects on the Middle East region. These changes offer an appropriate opportunity  for all states and international institutes to consolidate constructive ties and strengthen efforts for creating collective security. In this regard, the post-Trump challenges and opportunities as well as the approach shift from unilaterism to multilaterism were discussed.