Abstract: Donald Trump has exited the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and threatened Iran with economic warfare – the ultimate goal is regime change. Iran is still adhering to the JCPOA, their goal is increased trade with the European Union (EU). Belatedly the European Union is trying to save the JCPOA by protecting its trade with Iran despite American sanctions. As the EU is one of the main architects of this non-proliferation victory, maintaining it is crucial for its credibility. This is of about the EU’s strategic autonomy, its ability to conduct an independent foreign policy. Domestic Iranian political developments will be set back by the United States sanctions and the pressure on other countries to follow suit. But this will hurt the population more than the political elite.
About the Author:
PhD in history (2009) from Lund University on nationalism and intellectuals in Iran. Between 2009-13 senior research fellow at the EU Institute for Security Studies in Paris, working on Iran and the Middle East, especially Iran's nuclear program. Assistant professor at Human rights section of the History department. Lund University 2013 until present. Director of European Middle East Research Group (formerly European Iran Research Group) a Europe wide network of Middle East experts and scholars. Latest publication: "EU-Iran Relations: Building Bridges in Stormy Waters” in Paolo Magri & Annalisa Perteghella (eds.) Post-Vote Iran: Giving engagement a chance, Italian Institute for International Political Studies, 2017