Last years agreement over Iran's nuclear program could have cleared the way to better relations between the U.S. and Iran. Better relation could lead to cooperation in solving conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
But the U.S. is not willing to go there. It is trying to keep Iran hostile even with the nuclear issue solved.
Just follow recent headlines:
Dec 9 – US official: Iran tested another ballistic missile in Nov.
The test occurred Nov. 21, according to the official, coming on top of an Oct. 10 test Iran confirmed at the time.
Dec 28 – Iran ships 25,000lb of low-enriched uranium to Russia as part of nuclear deal
“I am pleased to report that we have seen important indications of significant progress towards Iran completing its key nuclear commitments under the deal,” the US secretary of state, John Kerry, said.
Dec 30 – U.S. preparing missile sanctions against Iran
Dec 30 – US says Iran launched 'provocative' rocket test near ships
Iran fulfills the nuclear deal and ships out enriched Uranium. It thereby gives away its meager means to even produce one nuclear weapon. This is immediately followed by a hostile move from the U.S. together with some nonsense propaganda over small fireworks in the Gulf, the Persian Gulf.
Iran immediately reacted to these crazy moves.
Dec 31 – Iran's IRGC denies firing rockets near U.S. warship in Persian Gulf
Dec 31 – Iran Denounces U.S. Sanctions Over Missiles, Saying It Will Build More
Israel, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Pakistan and the U.S. all have ballistic missiles that can hit Iran. Why should Iran not have a capability to deter them with its own ballistic missile force? Given that Iran has no nuclear weapons program there is no sound reason to deny it conventional missile capabilities. China, Russia and the Europeans accept that and will prevent any UN sanctions over the issue.
Only after Iran made it clear that it will not take part in the childish games the Obama administration wanted to play did the administration retract.
Jan 1 – White House Said To Delay Sanctions On Iran After Tehran Retaliates
Duh! Why make the threat in the first place when it was clear from the onset that it would be a bad move?
Tally this up as other own goal the Obama administration inflicted onto itself.
Who came up with the crazy idea of sanctioning Iran over harmless ballistic missile tests? Why do this at a time, just after Iran shipped out its Uranium, that make it look like intended sabotage of the nuclear deal? The deal with Iran is the only major foreign policy success the Obama administration ever had. Why endanger this legacy?
It will be interesting to read and compare the self serving memoirs of Obama administration officials when their time in office is over. My perception is that Obama is completely disinterested in policies. That Susan Rice, his National Security Adviser, has the retarded mindset of a junior highschool brat. That the neolibcons at the State Department run circles around a hapless John Kerry. And that the Pentagon, CentCom and the CIA are all running the own tunnel vision policies without any regard of a bigger national strategy.
Unfortunately there is little hop that the next administration will be any better.