       Introduction In recent days, there a lot of attention has been focused talks between Iran and US pertaining to the revival of the Iran Nuclear deal/Joint Comp

 In recent days, there a lot of attention has been focused talks between Iran and US pertaining to the revival of the Iran Nuclear deal/Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) 2015. Talks between both sides pertaining to Iran’s 

 and possible revival of the deal have been held in Oman, with Omani officials playing the role of 

. There have also been reports regarding a possible 

 between both sides, whereby Washington will remove certain sanctions imposed upon Iran, while Tehran will stop enriching uranium above 60 percent.

 have categorically stated however, that any talks of an interim deal are false.

Raisi’s Latin America visit and his anti-US posturing

While Iran seems to be keen to reduce tensions with the west in general and US in particular, during his Latin America trip (June 11-15, 2023) – which included Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba – Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi pulled no punches vis-à-vis the west in general, and 

While commenting on Iran-Venezuela relations, Ebrahim Raisi said that both 

 have “common interests and we have common enemies”.

While speaking at a joint appearance with Nicaraguan President, Daniel Ortega, the Iranian President 

“The United States wanted to paralyze our people with threats and sanctions, but it hasn’t been able to do it,”

During his Cuba visit, Raisi stated that both Iran and Cuba were dealing with similar challenges – while referring to western sanctions. Cuban President, Miguel Diaz-Canel on his part said that Iran, Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua had to confront 

Iran’s foreign policy: Beyond the rhetoric

While it is easy to view Iran’s cooperation with Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba from the lens of a common “anti-US” sentiment. A few things need to be borne in mind. First, in the aftermath of the Iran-Saudi deal, Tehran has been keen to diversify its economic relationships, and not restrict itself merely to links with China and Russia. Iran’s economy is facing serious problems – including high 

 vis-à-vis the US dollar -- as a result of US sanctions as well as the covid-19 pandemic and it needs some breathing space for addressing its . Inflation in Iran is as estimated at a staggering 

It would be pertinent to point out, that in the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine war, Iran has been selling cheap oil to several countries – including 

Second, Iran which will become a member of 

 (SCO) in July 2023 and has applied for membership of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa 

 also keen to become part of the growing narrative with regard to the 

 and Raisi’s Latin American tour needs to be viewed in this context. The Cuban President made the point, that Iran was a ‘friendly’ nation in the 

 with which Cuba could discuss some of the complex global problems.

The economic thrust of the Iranian President’s Latin America trip was evident from the agreements signed. Iran and Venezuela signed agreements in 

 including; energy, higher education, agriculture. Both countries also sought to strengthen their cooperation in the 

. During Raisi’s Cuba visit, agreements were signed between both countries in six areas 

 comprehensive political cooperation, customs, digital communication, etc.

Interestingly, White House national security spokesman 

 refused to comment on Raisi’s Latin America trip. Kirby said that the US was focused on its interests, though he did state that Washington was worried about Iran’s 

In conclusion, while due to the deterioration in Iran-US ties, Tehran has been left with no option but to strengthen economic and strategic ties with China and Russia, Iran would not like to be viewed as an appendage of any country. Iran needs to find common ground with other countries including Latin American nations, and that is why Raisi’s trip was important. The economic agreements indicate that putting the country’s economy back on the rails is high on its priority list.

Raisi's Latin America tour: The strategic and economic relevance

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