TOPIC OF THE DAY:-“The deal-maker: on resignation and reinstatement of Mohammad JavadZarif”
The drama over Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif’s moves reflects an ideological tussle
A day after posting his resignation on Instagram, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad JavadZarif was compelled to resume duties when President Hassan Rouhani rejected it. This sudden move by Mr. Zarif, who is widely credited with playing a key role in forging the nuclear deal in 2015, reflects the tensions within the Iranian political establishment. The U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal after Donald Trump became President, and the reintroduction of American sanctions on Iran, have sharpened contradictions between the hardliners and the moderates within the Islamic Republic, an ideological tussle that has endured for a long time. Hardliners opposed to any thaw in relations with the West, and who were always sceptical of the nuclear deal, have found in the current circumstances an opportunity to question and critique the architects of the deal. Mr. Zarif’s public resignation was also a kind of a power play. He was missing in the parleys between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his hosts in Tehran recently. Mr Assad, who is a key West Asian ally for Iran and has received military help from Tehran during the civil war, had also met Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Through his resignation and the public outcry that followed, Mr. Zarif sent a signal to his government that he was no lightweight diplomat and had a significant public standing among Iranians favourably disposed towards the regime.
The re-imposition of sanctions has been a major economic setback for Iran. The country did get some respite after the U.S. granted a temporary waiver for eight countries, including India, which are key trading partners. But with the sanctions, it is reeling under a weakening currency and galloping inflation. The major countries in the European Union — Germany, France and the U.K. — have reiterated that Iran has complied with the regulations of the nuclear deal and have created a new financial “special purpose vehicle” to facilitate trade with Iran despite the U.S. sanctions. The operationalisation of this entity is dependent on Iran abiding by rules framed by the international Financial Action Task Force. Bills that will bring Iranian laws in line with FATF rules are pending in Iran’s Expediency Council and Parliament due to a protracted debate between the moderates and the hardliners. Had Mr. Zarif, the main architect and advocate of the deal, exited the government, it would have complicated Iran’s continued adherence to the agreement. The conservatives’ critique of Mr. Zarif must be seen in this light. President Rouhani’s rejection of his resignation also indicates that he can ill-afford to lose an ally at this crucialjuncture for Iran and its engagement with the West.
MEANINGS AND WORDS
1) contradictions
Meaning : a combination of statements, ideas, or features which are opposed to one another.
Synonyms : conflict
Antonyms : agreement
Example : “the proposed new system suffers from a set of internal contradictions”
2) tussle
Meaning : a vigorous struggle or scuffle, typically in order to obtain or achieve something(n).
Synonyms : scuffle
Antonyms : harmony
Example : “there was a tussle for the ball”
3) endured
Meaning : suffer (something painful or difficult) patiently(v).
Synonyms : feel
Antonyms : disallow
Example : “it seemed impossible that anyone could endure such pain”
4) thaw
Meaning : (of ice, snow, or another frozen substance, such as food) become liquid or soft as a result of warming up.
Synonyms : defrost
Antonyms : solidify
Example : “the river thawed and barges of food began to reach the capital”
5) sceptical
Meaning : not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations.
Synonyms : doubtful
Antonyms : desirous
Example : “the public were deeply sceptical about some of the proposals”
6) diplomat
Meaning : an official representing a country abroad.
Synonyms : envoy
Example : a British diplomat working in our consulate in Germany
7) disposed
Meaning : having a specified attitude to or towards.
Synonyms : biased
Antonyms : disinclined
Example : “he is favourably disposed towards the proposals”
8) respite
Meaning : a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.
Synonyms : interruption
Antonyms : continuation
Example : “the refugee encampments will provide some respite from the suffering”
9) waiver
Meaning : an act or instance of waiving a right or claim.
Synonyms : remission
Antonyms : approval
Example : “their acquiescence could amount to a waiver”
10) galloping
Meaning : (of a process or event) progressing in a rapid and seemingly uncontrollable manner.
Synonyms : zoom
Antonyms : slow
Example : “galloping inflation”
11) reiterated
Meaning : say something again or a number of times, typically for emphasis or clarity(v).
Synonyms : renew
Antonyms : take back
Example : “she reiterated that the government would remain steadfast in its support”
12) complied
Meaning : act in accordance with a wish or command.
Synonyms : observe
Antonyms : dissuade
Example : “we are unable to comply with your request”
13) despite
Meaning : contemptuous treatment or behaviour; outrage.
Synonyms : against
Example : “the despite done by him to the holy relics”
14) abiding
Meaning : (of a feeling or memory) lasting a long time; enduring.
Synonyms : enduring
Antonyms : ceasing
Example : “he had an abiding respect for her”
15) protracted
Meaning : lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual.
Synonyms : continued
Antonyms : abrupt
Example : “a protracted and bitter dispute”
16) adherence
Meaning : attachment or commitment to a person, cause, or belief.
Synonyms : faithfulness
Antonyms : disloyalty
Example : “a strict adherence to etiquette”
17) juncture
Meaning : a particular point in events or time.
Synonyms : choice
Antonyms : blessing
Example : “it is difficult to say at this juncture whether this upturn can be sustained”
