US, Not Iran, Needs to Act ‘Like A Normal Nation’: American Analyst

“Secretary Pompeo’s various statements on Iran are both hypocritical and intellectually dishonest. The fact is it’s the United States that is not acting like a “normal Nation” nor has it since it launched the Spanish-American War in an effort to become a global power and expand its power and hegemony around the globe,” Rodney Martin told Tasnim.

He added, “Iran cannot negotiate with officials who do not negotiate in good faith and this is certainly the case with the Trump administration. Additionally, the Trump administration has other motives, specifically, Trump, Pompeo, and Bolton are doing the bidding of Tel Aviv and do not have the concerns of international peace and goodwill in mind.”

Rodney Martin is a retired Judge and a former Congressional Staffer. He was a Harry S. Trauma Scholar and Lyndon B. Johnson Congressional Fellow. Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Martin has held several US Federal, State and Local positions.

Following is the full text of the interview.

Tasnim: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has expressed Washington’s willingness to talk with Tehran with ‘no preconditions’ if Iran behaves like a "normal" nation, backing off from a 12-point list of “basic requirements” he had already put forth as a prerequisite for a new deal with Iran. What is your take on this?

Martin: Secretary Pompeo’s various statements on Iran are both hypocritical and intellectually dishonest. The fact is it’s the United States that is not acting like a “normal Nation” nor has it since it launched the Spanish-American War in an effort to become a global power and expand its power and hegemony around the globe. The United States agrees to and signs agreements, as they did with Native Americans, then violates them, then spins narratives it has done so in “self-defense” while demonizing the other Party. The United States attacks on Iran are reflective of its history. One reason Iran makes the United States so “sore” is because Iran threw the United States out of Iran and regained control of its natural resources and exposed the United States espionage activities and interference in its internal affairs.

Tasnim: Recently, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei ruled out the possibility of negotiations with the United States, noting that it is more of a tactic that Americans would use to back their pressure campaign strategy against Iran. What are your thoughts on this?

Martin: The Leader is correct. Iran cannot negotiate with officials who do not negotiate in good faith and this is certainly the case with the Trump administration. Additionally, the Trump administration has other motives, specifically Trump, Pompeo and Bolton are doing the bidding of Tel Aviv and do not have the concerns of international peace and goodwill in mind.

Perhaps if there is significant political change in the United States after the 2020 elections, an opportunity may lend itself for honest negotiations.

Tasnim: As you know, President Trump failed to reach a deal with North Korea in Vietnam. Do you believe that he is seeking to strike a new one with Iran instead in a bid to use it as an achievement and get reelected in 2020?

Martin: Donald Trump has proved he is completely outclassed on the world stage. His Neocon Zionist officials are so singularly focused that they are unable to negotiate in good faith. Trump only creates the illusion for his extreme political base. He is seeking “deals” then when he fails, he blames the other Party. His base is so extreme and dedicated to the Trump Personality Cult, they buy the Trump Lie. With regard to Iran, Trump is playing to Israel, AIPAC and Neocon-Zionist Evangelicals. Trump does not care about reaching a deal, only creating an illusion he is “doing something” and “talking tough”.