Sir, The US move to end the exemptions granted to India, China and six other countries for importing Iran oil after May 2, will only serve the interests of the US and Saudi Arabia. It is a tactical move by the US to push Iran to change its policies.

India and other countries affected by the sanctions should jointly put pressure on the US to ensure adequate oil supplies, failing which the sanctions should be lifted.

2) Oil Wars,
Deccan Chronicle,26th April,2019,L.E.

Sir, The US move to end the exemptions granted to India, China and six other countries from ban on import of Iranian crude oil by May will only serve the interest of US and Saudi Arabia,

India has to find alternative oil suppliers and deal with volatile international crude prices which will effect the domestic coccking gas and transport sector too,

We should mount pressure on us to adequate Oil supplies to counties effected by Iran sanctions,failing which the embargo of Iranian crude oil should be lifted.

This refers to the editorial, “New beginning for Iran” (January 19). The lifting of economic sanctions against Iran after it signed a historic nuclear deal to roll back the scope of nuclear activities, is indeed a triumph for international diplomacy. This deal is a positive sign for peace and stability in a region which has always been in conflict. A peaceful, stable Iran is vital for energy security as ships carrying oil from the Gulf countries pass through a narrow sea passage known as the Strait of Hormuz. With the nuclear deal signed and economic sanctions lifted, Iran is back into international economy.

Relations between India and Iran are centuries-old. A peaceful and stable Iran is important for India's trade and investment destinations. India must get Iran on board as it has immense opportunities in the areas of information technology, infrastructure, medicines, oil etc.

Both US President Barack Obama and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani deserve credit for this landmark deal.

Sir - Overcoming decades of hostility, Iran, the US and its five international partners have agreed on a historic nuclear deal. This is a welcome development, as it would lead to the lifting of economic and other sanctions on Iran. This, in turn, would encourage Iran to become a responsible member of the international community. There are also provisions for the reimposition of punitive measures if Iran fails to adhere to the terms and conditions of the agreement.

This landmark deal offers the best chance for peace in the Middle East. It also gives India an opportunity to increase its trade with Iran. India is developing the Chabahar port in Iran. From there, India can gain access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

The victory of the moderate Iranian cleric, Hassan Rohani, in the presidential elections of Iran has surprised the world and has possibly opened an new era of peace in the Middle East.

Rohani is described as a moderate, centrist leader. He had represented his country as ahead of nuclear negotiation and always wanted a constructive engagement with the world powers, It is obvious why Iranians have preferred Rohani over outgoing president hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. His top most priority should be to deal with the high levels of inflation. It will be challenge for him to find way to resurrect an economy that has been hard hit with US and EU sanctions.

Though new Iranian President-Elect has pledged to follow the path of moderation and greater transparency over country’s disputed nuclear programme. But all those pinning high hopes on the new president should remember that Iran’s ruling establishment, consisting of a tight alliance of hard line clerics and the security apparatus, still hold all the effective power and set the agenda on all major decisions.

Referring to Parisa Hafezi’s column “Iran after Rafsanjani” (Jan. 11), the death of Iran’s reformist former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani is sad. He was the most powerful cleric in Iran.

His death is a big blow to reformists in the country, as he was considered a moderate. His death comes at a crucial time, following the landmark Iran nuclear deal and before Donald Trump becomes US president. A volatile world order may be on the horizon.

Rafsanjani was one of the voices of political realism and moderation in Iran, who played a very important role in the election of reformist President Mohammed Khatami. As oil prices have plummeted, so have the oil revenues of all Gulf countries and Iran, on which their economies are based.

It is time for Iran to reduce its military expenditure and its policy of confrontation. This will help Arab countries, especially those in the Gulf, do the same and spend money on their citizens’ welfare, improving basic infrastructure, health care and education.

It is time for Iran to work toward peace in the Middle East. Only regional players, not outsiders, should work together in this regard.

Dear Sir, The death of Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani is a big blow to reformists in Iran as he was considered a moderate in the country’s polity. His death has come at a most crucial time when Iran had signed a landmark nuclear deal with world powers and a new US administration under President Donald Trump is scheduled to take power.

Rafsanjani was one of the voices of political realism and moderation in Iran who played a very important role in the election of reformist Iranian leader Mohamed Khatami. When the Shah of Iran was removed from power, Rafsanjani was a pivotal figure in laying the foundation of the Islamic Republic in 1979. Even at the ripe age of 82, he was very influential and hardliners found it very difficult to overcome him politically. His demise also deprived fellow pragmatist leader Hassan Rouhani of a close and important ally.

The late Ayatollah will best be remembered by the people of Iran for rebuilding Iranian economy which was devastated because of the decade-long Iran-Iraq war and the punishing sanctions on account of its nuclear programme.

Today when oil prices have come down, Iran has to cut down its spending on weapons and eschew its policy of confrontation. This will help reduce tension in the region and help all countries in the Middle East to spend more money on the welfare of its citizens.

Refer to the editorial ‘Rouhani regains presidency’ (May 22); the world in general, and India in particular, should be pleased with the electoral victory of Hassan Rouhani. The election was seen as a battle between the reformist agenda of President Rouhani and those of the hardliners, represented by conservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi.

For India, his second term is of great significance as it can look forward to guaranteed supply of Iranian crude oil with price stability, and boost plans to develop a linkage to Afghanistan and Central Asia via the Chabahar Port. India must capitalise on these initiatives fast as China is waiting to grab these.