US Demands 'Iran Must Comply,' Forgets 2018 Withdrawal
Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, asserts talks are off until the US stops “unreasonable demands.” This comes after five rounds of indirect negotiations, as The New Arab cites. The 'unreasonable demand' frequently boils down to Iran reverting to terms of an agreement the United States unilaterally abandoned in 2018 under the Trump administration, despite Iran’s continued
compliance as certified by the IAEA. One might wonder if breaking an international treaty then demanding the other party adhere to its terms constitutes a 'reasonable' starting point for dialogue. This particular diplomatic amnesia is a staple in Washington. It echoes the historical pattern where US sanctions on Iran have long destabilized the region, preceding and often providing pretext for
escalating rhetoric, especially from politicians who consistently vote for increased military aid to US allies in the region. The US withdrew from the JCPOA, then reimposed crippling sanctions—a classic move of setting the house on fire and then blaming the residents for not wanting to negotiate peace terms while it burns.