The United States has suggested that Iran should rethink its foreign policy and focus on its economy after apparent setbacks this year.

Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said that Israel has succeeded in damaging Tehran’s allies, Hezbollah and Hamas, as well as Iran’s own military capabilities in a direct strike in October. “There’s no doubt this has not been a good year for Iran, and we’re seeing that play out every single day,” Blinken said.

He added that now Iran has to make “fundamental” choices.

“One choice it could make and should make is to focus on itself and focus on trying to build a better, more successful country that delivers for its people … and to stop getting involved in these adventures or misadventures throughout the region.”
Antony Blinken

With President-elect Donald Trump returning to the White House next month, Iran finds itself in a vulnerable position due to the losses suffered by its partners.

Tehran’s regional influence was dealt another blow with the fall of President al-Assad, another ally. His government was toppled earlier this month after opposition fighters captured Damascus.

Still, Iranian leaders have projected defiance.

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei said in a speech on Tuesday rejected claims that the “axis of resistance” has been defeated.

“With the developments in Syria and the crimes the Zionist regime is committing and the crimes that America is committing, and the help that some others are giving to them, they thought that the resistance was over.

“They are completely wrong.”
Ali Khamenei

Israel’s increasing reach in the Middle East has sparked concerns that Iran may build a nuclear bomb to restore deterrence and protect itself from potential Israeli attacks.

Iranian leaders, however, have said repeatedly that the country is not seeking nuclear weapons.

Blinken stated that an Iranian effort to get a nuclear bomb is “not inevitable.”

“This is something that may be more a question now because they’ve lost different tools. They’ve lost different lines of defence.

“Sure, you’re going to see more thinking about that, but the costs and consequences for them for pursuing that route, I think, would be severe.”
Antony Blinken

Blinken praised the 2015 nuclear deal that saw Iran curb its nuclear programme in exchange for lifting international sanctions against its economy.

Nuclear Negotiations Possible

Nonetheless, Blinken said that diplomacy with Iran is still possible. “There is the prospect of negotiations. Of course, it depends on what Iran chooses to do and whether it chooses to engage,” he said.

“And of course, the incoming administration will have to make a decision. President Trump last time around in pulling out of the deal, he said that he wanted so-called a ‘better, stronger deal’. So let’s see. I think that would be a better way to approach it.”
Antony Blinken

Blinken added that, no matter what US party is in power, Washington will always be committed to ensuring that Iran does not get a nuclear weapon.

While dealing with external threats, the Iranian government has had to contend with domestic antigovernment protests in recent years, which it met with a harsh security crackdown, according to rights groups.

When asked about the possibility of the US supporting Iranian opposition forces to oust the government in Tehran, Blinken urged caution.

“I think if we look at the last 20 years, our experiments in regime change have not exactly been resounding successes. So, I think we have to have an appropriate degree of humility in focusing in that way on a problem.”
Antony Blinken