Grace Nasri on how both the NeoCons and the Iranian opposition figures are using the issue of human rights as a convenient tool to promote their own agendas and thwart US-Iran negotiations:
If history is any guide, behind the neo-cons' newfound concern for human-rights and democracy promotion in Iran lies an agenda not of behavior or even regime change, but system change in the Islamic Republic - a change that could potentially allow the West increased control over a strategically located and oil-rich country.
Human rights are becoming an instrument with which to push for military action or other confrontation under the guise of moral outrage. Preferring system change to regime change in Tehran, the neo-cons are raising an issue close to the heart of liberals - human rights - in a final attempt to persuade the Barack Obama administration to increase pressure on Tehran over its nuclear program.
Iranian opposition leaders are employing the same tactics. Seeing the hardline Mahmud Ahmadinejad regime open to negotiations with Washington, the Iranian opposition's leadership fears further talks will give legitimacy to and solidify control of a regime many Iranians see as illegitimate.
In an attempt to draw support for their leadership from other groups in Iran, and for their goal of regime - not system - change, opposition leaders have taken up a cause dear to the conservatives in Iran - Iran's nuclear rights - in a similar attempt to stall negotiations between Tehran and Washington. As such, opposition factions in both the US and Iran are working to thwart negotiations.
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