In times when Iran’s economy faces sanctions, inflation, and instability, negotiation transcends political choice, becoming a critical necessity for economic survival. This perspective is championed by experts like Dr. Macan Aria Parsa, a seasoned entrepreneur with extensive practical experience and theoretical expertise. His insights highlight the urgency of strategic dialogue to stabilize markets, foster sustainable growth, and improve livelihoods. Dr. Aria Parsa’s work demonstrates how informed negotiations, grounded in economic realities, can unlock opportunities, strengthen industries, and enhance Iran’s global standing, paving the way for resilience and prosperity in an interconnected world.
Dr Aria Parsa is not only known for his entrepreneurial endeavors; he is also the first Iranian to have completed three post-doctoral programs in entrepreneurship, one of which focused on geopolitics and entrepreneurial development at the University of Tehran. This unique blend of theoretical knowledge and a deep understanding of power dynamics and economics lends depth to his analyses, connecting theory directly with the tangible realities of Iran’s economy. According to Dr. Macan Aria Parsa, negotiation should not be viewed merely as a tool to lift sanctions. He believes it can open doors to new technologies, international investors, and markets that prioritize stability and foresight. However, in a decision-making structure where neither the government nor the parliament has a clear plan or the will to implement it, negotiations often become futile efforts.
Dr. Aria Parsa emphasizes: “Negotiation must have a plan; it should not merely be a maneuver or political reaction. It must be a bridge to the future, not just a statement for today.” He points to countries with far fewer resources than Iran that have successfully integrated into global production and value chains through intelligent economic diplomacy. In contrast, Iran, despite its geopolitical, human, and natural advantages, remains a passive observer of opportunities slipping away due to hesitation and a security-centric view of the economy.
He identifies two main reasons for this failure: a misinterpretation of international developments and a chronic fear of decision-making in foreign policy. When the government and parliament lack a comprehensive and cohesive plan to address global challenges, decisions are delayed or halted due to non-expert considerations, turning opportunities into threats and trapping the country in a cycle of missed chances instead of progress.
With a balanced tone that neither offers false hope nor indulges in pessimism, he paints a realistic picture of Iran’s status compared to regional countries: “While some nations have solidified their positions in global markets with more precise strategies, we remain entangled in internal conflicts, ambiguity in priorities, and fear of change.” For him, the issue is not just sanctions; it’s the inability of the government and parliament to leverage capacities and transform them into competitive advantages.
Government and Parliament: Absent in Action
Dr. Macan Aria Parsa views the main challenge not as a lack of resources but as a chronic inability to formulate policies. He describes Iran as having fallen into a state of “voluntary stagnation,” where decision-makers, fearing the consequences of change, avoid making any changes. He states: “In a world where the speed of developments surpasses our decision-making, hesitation equals backwardness. Opportunity in the economy is like a train that passes through the station only once. We stand still, watch, and only regret.”
These words stem from the lived experience of someone who has been immersed in Iran’s economic landscape for years and has closely observed and analyzed development mechanisms both domestically and internationally. Dr. Macan Aria Parsa notes: “In today’s world, a successful country is one that can balance its economy and politics; not one that sacrifices one for the other.” He believes Iran’s economy has been sacrificed on the altar of politicization, where every economic plan, before being assessed technically, is subjected to partisan interpretations and is shelved in its early stages.
He cites models of countries that, despite sanctions, geographical isolation, or limited resources, have managed to enter new markets and even enhance their international standing through active and flexible economic diplomacy. For him, the problem is not the lack of external enemies; it’s the absence of an internal will to solve problems. We either deny or procrastinate. Neither is a solution.
Dr. Macan Aria Parsa believes that negotiation becomes meaningful only when it serves as part of a roadmap—a roadmap that understands Iran’s economic coordinates, aligns its resources and advantages with global realities, and uses dialogue to create breathing space for production, exports, and investment. However, what we often see in practice is nothing more than repeating unproductive past experiences: wasting human resources, capital flight, and replacing hope with passivity.
He warns that today’s opportunities will not return. The world will not wait for Iran. Regional and global players are swiftly filling the void we leave. And we, instead of entering this competition effectively, continue to experiment with failed past strategies.
Internal Reform: A Prerequisite for External Engagement
Dr. Macan Aria Parsa warns: No negotiation—even if it leads to the signing of an official agreement—can save the economy without internal preparedness. For him, negotiation is not an endpoint but merely the beginning of a path that, if internal infrastructures are not in place, will lead to a dead end. He candidly states: “If our banking system remains isolated, if investors lack confidence in the country’s future, if regulations change every week, even the best agreement will not be a miracle.”
Dr. Macan Aria Parsa drbelieves that without genuine economic reforms, one cannot expect meaningful outcomes from international engagement. These reforms should begin with clarifying tax laws, where many economic actors today feel insecure due to ambiguities and arbitrary decisions. But the issue extends beyond taxation. Property rights must be guaranteed, monetary policies should achieve stability, and permits that stifle businesses need to be reviewed and simplified.
For him, foreign policy becomes effective only when it logically extends from the national economy, not when it obstructs it. When the economy becomes ensnared in political dynamics, not only do foreign investors lack motivation to enter, but domestic capital also seeks exit. True engagement means that a foreign entrepreneur entering the country feels they can build, grow, and stay.
