Iranian American community supports diplomatic nuke agreement

Perhaps one of the most attentive communities watching the U.S.-Iran nuclear talks is the Iranian American community.  Iranian Americans want the impasse over Iran’s nuclear program to be resolved peacefully. They also aspire to see a democratic Iran that respects human rights.

The United States is host to the largest expatriate community of Iranians in the world. Large numbers of Iranian Americans immigrated to the United States after the 1979 Revolution in Iran and were drawn to America’s democratic values and economic opportunities. In addition to being patriotic Americans, Iranian Americans have strong ties to the people of Iran. 

{mosads}According to the National Public Opinion Surveys conducted by the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA), over 80 percent of Iranian Americans still have family members in Iran, 51 percent communicate at least several times a month with their family and friends, and nearly a third travel to Iran once every 2-3 years. Poll numbers also indicate that a majority of Iranian Americans support President Obama’s handling of Iran’s nuclear program. Nearly two-thirds oppose a military strike against Iran’s nuclear sites, overwhelmingly because of civilian casualties, but also because they believe that the strikes would actually encourage Iran to develop nuclear weapons, and would strengthen the government of Iran. The general sentiment is that a peaceful resolution to the nuclear issue would be an important goal for both U.S. national security and a more democratic future in Iran. 

While dismantling Iran’s ability to enrich uranium would be the best negotiated outcome, most national security experts believe that such an agreement is unattainable. As such, a negotiated settlement that effectively cuts off Iran’s pathway to a nuclear weapon and allows for a stringent international monitoring regime to ensure that Iran’s nuclear program is used for peaceful purposes would be in the best interest of the United States and our allies. 

Any agreement must also provide for sufficient deterrents against a possible future decision by Tehran to pursue nuclear weapons. In this regard, Congress will not only have an important oversight role to play but should also work with the Administration to discourage Iran from making any breakout attempts and to incentivize the Iranians to make further compromises.    

At the same time, it is critical for Congress not to pass any measures that could potentially derail the negotiations. This could splinter the international coalition cooperating against Iran and strengthen the hardliners in the Iran who strongly favour the collapse of our diplomatic initiatives. It could also significantly alienate the Iranian people who want their country to move in a direction that engages the international community in a positive way. In a recent Gallup poll, 70 percent of Iranians indicated that they are hopeful that a nuclear deal can be reached. 

Another outcome of failed negotiations could be preparations for military strikes. Most national security experts agree that military strikes would only temporarily set back Iran’s nuclear program. This less than ideal outcome would allow a deeply unpopular regime to rally its population in defiance of the West, expel international inspectors and justify the need for nuclear weapons. 

Studies show that Iran is rather unique in the Middle East in that a vast majority of Iranians have a favourable view of America. A negotiated settlement on the nuclear issue could open possibilities for greater people-to-people ties between the United States and Iran through cultural and educational exchanges. Such exchanges with Iran will uphold positive features of American society and help cultivate the goodwill of the Iranian people towards the United States. 

Iranian Americans share our nation’s concerns over Iran’s nuclear program and are supportive of efforts to resolve the matter through diplomatic means. The effects of a positive outcome to the nuclear negotiations would help increase stability in the Middle East and potentially open vital opportunities for economic and social reform for the Iranian people.  Whether or not there is an agreement with Iran over its nuclear program, the issue is bound to be a significant focal point in U.S.-Iran relations for the foreseeable future.  At the same time, policy makers would be wise to think more creatively about crafting policies that would complement the aspirations of the Iranian people.  In doing so, they will have a willing partner in the Iranian American community. 

Austin is the executive director of the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA). Ghorban is the director of Government Affairs and Policy for PAAIA.