“Lebanon Debate”
Political and diplomatic contacts are intensifying in an attempt to bring both Iran and the United States back to the negotiating table, amid the exchange of messages and mutual conditions under regional and international sponsorship and mediation, including an initiative led by Pakistan to try to bring the views of the two parties closer together.
The negotiations revolve around a number of basic files, most notably the Iranian nuclear program, the missile program, and Tehran’s regional role, in addition to the file of economic sanctions and stopping the military escalation in the region, at a time when each party is trying to improve its conditions before moving to any direct or comprehensive negotiating stage.
In an interview with Lebanon Debate, writer and political analyst Tawfiq Shoman considered that the regional scene is still governed by the exchange of ideas and counter-political messages between Iran and the United States, noting that there will be an Iranian response to the American message that reached Pakistan, saying that we are facing the features of a solution, not a complete solution, which may lead to reaching a certain result, but not through hasty answers, but rather within the framework of exchanging political messages.
Shoman explained that talk about the possibility of military strikes or confrontations remains, but he pointed out that the region has practically entered the threshold of a solution, because both parties want to get out of this crisis, in light of their awareness that continuing escalation is not in the interest of either of them.
Regarding the negotiations, he pointed out that the American paper includes provisions related to stopping Iranian support for resistance fronts and movements in the region, which Tehran has rejected so far, explaining that the Iranian proposal is based on a ceasefire on all fronts.
He added that there are 14 Iranian items compared to 14 American items, and among the most prominent and important Iranian items is a ceasefire on various fronts.
Shoman expected that the Iranian response would include amendments to some American provisions, including adding a clause related to a comprehensive ceasefire, given that this issue is considered one of the fundamental issues for Iran.
He pointed out that the Israelis are not satisfied with the American terms proposed, considering that the strike that targeted the southern suburb of Beirut yesterday comes within the framework of an attempt to obstruct any possible settlement between Iran and the United States.
He explained that Israel is focusing today on two basic issues that it considers directly related to its security: the Iranian missile program and support for resistance movements in the region, considering that these two issues constitute an absolute Israeli priority.
On the other hand, Schuman saw that the Americans place greater priority on the Iranian nuclear file, in addition to the Strait of Hormuz file, while Israel considers that these files remain within the American and international framework, and can be addressed on a global level, while what it considers a direct threat to its security is the resistance movements and the Iranian missile program.
Shoman stressed that Israel is primarily focused on stopping complete support for Hezbollah in Lebanon, considering that it represents, for it, a permanent threat to its security, which it places at the top of its political and security priorities.
