“When, in the mid-2000s, he served as the lead negotiator on the nuclear issue, Rouhani boasted to his fellow officials that he had helped to maintain a calm environment so that Western powers would alleviate some pressure while Iran continued to develop its nuclear program and expand its uranium enrichment capabilities. It should have been clear to Western negotiators in 2015 that this was exactly the endgame that the recently-elected Iranian President had in mind. It is likely that the ‘P5+1’ knew full well that moderation was not really on the table,” he added.

The evidence shoes that Iran has continued to stockpile ballistic missiles, continued to provoke Western targets, and continued the mass arrests of journalists, activists, and dual nationals.  Iran’s already alarming rate of executions only continues to grow. Records show 2,500 executions since Rouhani took office, including an appalling nearly 1,000 hangings in 2015. 

Tehran has dispatched thousands of troops to Syria, in an outrageous attempt to assist Assad and to keep that regime in place, and to support militias in Iraq and Yemen.

“Anyone who understands how small the return has been for the West following nuclear negotiations, and how many risks exist in promoting  business with large sections of the Iranian economy controlled by the Ayatollah, the IRGC and entities linked to severe violations of human rights and to terror financing ought to pay attention to the voice of Iranian dissidents who gathered in a major rally in Paris organized by the National Council of Resistance of Iran, led by Maryam Rajavi…” states Terzi.

On July 9, in Paris, the “Free Iran” convention was attended by hundreds of European and American politicians and bipartisan government dignitaries, as well as prominent Middle Eastern figures, like Prince Turki al-Faisal of Saudi Arabia, who sent a narrative that outlines the reality faced by the people of Iran, than the narrative espoused a year ago.  For them, the outcome of the negotiations has had a negative impact. The regime has been empowered at their expense, especially those working toward a truly democratic system.

Terzi goes on to say, “An Iran that is in the hand of religious extremists is an Iran that is harmful to Western interests. Any successful policy on Iran should hinge any improvement of relations upon improvement of human rights in Iran, should prevent any dealings with the Revolutionary Guards, the main apparatus of murder and terror, and should call for serious consequences for Iran dispatching its Guards and mercenaries to Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and other parts of the Middle East.”

According to Terzi, a policy must be put in place that is consistent with the values and principles, as well as the commitment, of the European Union and its member States: to promote human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of Law, “the only policy which provides assurance to our regional allies and identifies us with the aspirations of Iranians crying for freedom.”