Within the recent days and weeks, tensions between US and Iran has extremely intensified. Our country is in perilous conditions. Although the main centers of power on both sides say they have no plan to go to war, but deployment of the US navy and air force at a high level towards the region and US officials warnings leave no place for doubt that possibility of military conflict has increased and due to the proximity of the forces of the two sides in the Persian Gulf, each little flash can cause a military conflict. All developments shows the fragility of the situation and possibility of armed conflict.
Avoiding negotiation and threatening to withdraw from Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) by the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI), under the circumstances in which country is under military threat and in deep economic crisis with severe damages caused by sanctions, do not mean anything but risking the country and imposing misery and poverty on the Iranian people.
The Impact of Sanctions on the Country's Economic Deterioration
There is no doubt that the current economic problems are, in fact the result of four decades of the IRI governance and its devastating economic policies. Sanctions imposed by the US have intensified the structural crisis in the economy of country. Reports show that Iran's average oil and gas by-products exports which was 2.5 million barrel per day last year, has declined to less than one million barrels per day this year. This reduction has had its negative effects on production, exports and businesses and has intensified inflation and recession. World Bank estimates show that Iran's GDP this year will drop about 6.3 percent compared to the year before. Iran's official inflation rate in April this year exceeded 30 percent and surpassed more than triple relative to the year before. Average prices for food and drinking increased by 85.3 percent from a year ago.
Country economy is shrinking day by day and with the continuation of sanctions will lead to paralysis. This economic situation leads lives of workers, teachers, retirees, and part of the middle layers of the society to unprecedented poverty. Accumulation of poverty at the bottom and wealth in the hands of a thin upper layer cause rampant Inflation, widespread poverty, massive unemployment and deep class division and consequently lead to a polarized society. This situation could have catastrophic consequences for our country.
A Gleam of Hope that Still Exists
JCPOA was the framework of an agreement that could end the forty-year long dispute between Iran and the US and ease the International tension. However, opponents of the deal in Iran, the region and the US created barriers against going beyond the nuclear dispute, resolution of historical disputes between Iran and US after the "occupation" of the US embassy in Tehran and establishment of normal relations between the two countries. In Iran, Khamenei, the supreme leader, military and security institutions under his command and parties close to him, in unison with Netanyahu, the right-wing Prime Minister of Israel discredited the JCPOA and prevented negotiations with the US beyond the resolution of the nuclear dispute. In America, the republican faction, headed by hawkish neocons and right-wing government in Israel and Saudi Arabia did whatever they could to defeat JCPOA.
The European Union does not agree about the US leaving JCPOA . However, in cases such as opposition to the IRI's missile tests and military presence in critical areas of the region is aligned with the US policies. European countries have spoken repeatedly of the need to negotiate in these cases. The European Union has so far stayed away from the US measures to tighten sanctions and military threats and has invited both parties to show restraint. Withdrawal of the IRI from JCPOA could unite the European Union and the Trump government against the IRI.
Solution: Return to the Negotiating Table!
Continuation of the current situation can lead to a disaster shortly. The only way to avoid military conflict and War, is to begin negotiations without preconditions. Iran's civil society, political, cultural and civil rights activists at home and around the world must in unity, mobilize international public opinions and along with all advocates of peace around the world raise their voice to counter the tension and war harangues and by approaching International institutions, parliaments and progressive parties around the world, stand against the US and IRI governments threats. They must demand talks without preconditions between the two sides and an end to their deployment in the Persian Gulf.
We believe that the IRI is the major actor in creation of the current situation in our country. Freedom and security of the Iranian people is possible in transition from the existing system to a system based on the free will of the people. The IRI, with its destructive policies over the past four decades has created the current risky situation and has provided the groundwork for threat and destruction to our country.
We emphasize on staying in JCPOA, pursuing détente policy, negotiating without preconditions to end the economic sanctions and resolve other disputes between the two countries at the negotiation table. The IRI must end its expansionist policy in the region and hostility with Israel. Without pressure from peace advocates at home and abroad, the regime of Iran does not come to the negotiation table.
The Left Party of Iran (People's Fadaian) together with all peace-loving and freedom-loving forces of the world call on the United Nations and other international organizations for rapid intervention to prevent the escalation of tensions and military conflicts!
The Central Council of the Left Party of Iran (People’s Fadaian)
May 25, 2019
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