The latest steps the US has offered to take in negotiations for a nuclear deal with Iran would bring billions of dollars to Tehran – in addition to the influx by returning to the original agreement – as well as Moscow, despite Western sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
The US is considering removing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, in exchange for a commitment to regional de-escalation, specifically not to target Americans in the Middle East, said a diplomatic source in Jerusalem.
Jerusalem strongly opposes the move, arguing that the IRGC is heavily involved in terrorism in the region, including against Israel, the US and its allies. Removing it from the FTO list sends a wrong message to Iran, and undermines the stated US policy to achieve a longer and stronger agreement, the Israeli source said.
The proposal is “as crazy as it seems,” maintained another senior diplomatic source. “The Americans’ level of motivation is almost religious. Once the Iranians are in, the Americans will sign.”
While the US is likely to keep post-Iran-deal sanctions on IRGC-affiliated individuals for terrorism and human rights offenses, the removal of the IRGC’s terrorist designation will be a boon to Iran’s economy, in addition to lifting nuclear-related sanctions as per the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. READ MORE
