Iran is in full diplomatic turmoil, renewing relations with its former rivals and seeking to emerge from its isolation. These initiatives above all reflect a desire by the Islamic Republic to strengthen its power, weakened by a year of demonstrations and economic difficulties.
A year after the popular uprisings following the death of Mahsa Amini, Iran is making its comeback on the international scene by renewing dialogue with several key players. Despite accusations of human rights violations and criticism from the United Nations, the Iranian regime is trying to present itself as a country open to dialogue and ready to cooperate. However, this is more of a communication strategy than a real opening.
On the same day in September, Iran announced the restoration of its diplomatic relations with Djibouti in the morning, then with the Maldives at the end of the day. These rapprochements come after the reconciliation with Saudi Arabia, an agreement negotiated by China last March. Riyadh had severed ties with Tehran following an attack on its embassy in Iran in 2016. The Maldives and other Arab League countries had also severed ties with Iran in a show of solidarity.
Furthermore, Iran concluded an agreement with the United States allowing the recovery of six billion dollars in frozen Iranian funds. In exchange for this release of funds, five American nationals detained in Iran were released. If this agreement was seen as a step forward in relations between the two countries, American authorities were keen to downplay its importance, affirming that it did not change the United States’ position on Iranian nuclear power.
These various diplomatic initiatives by Iran actually demonstrate the fragility of the power in place. Protests linked to the death of Mahsa Amini have shaken the regime, while economic difficulties linked to sanctions have created additional pressure. It was therefore imperative for Iran to seek support and renew diplomatic ties to face these challenges.
However, it is important to remain cautious about the sincerity of these connections and agreements. It appears that Iran is using these diplomatic initiatives as a way to burnish its image and gain international support, rather than actually engaging in constructive dialogue. The reservations expressed by the United States on the use of recovered funds are an example, recalling that monitoring will be strict and that the funds must be used for humanitarian purposes.
In conclusion, Iran is pursuing a diplomatic strategy to emerge from its isolation and strengthen its power. However, it is important to analyze these initiatives with caution and not be blinded by appearances.. The country’s fragile situation and internal challenges force the regime to act on the international stage, but we must not forget the human rights violations and economic challenges that Iran faces.