Washington
President-elect Joe Biden has promised to rejoin the Iran nuclear agreement if Iran abides by the deal. However both sides will have to race against the clock and navigate a political minefield to reach that goal.
With Iran due to hold elections in June, any diplomatic effort will have to move swiftly during Biden’s first few months in office, say former U.S. officials, European diplomats and regional experts. Iran’s current president, Hassan Rouhani, threw his weight behind the 2015 agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and there’s no guarantee the next Iranian president will be as open to cutting a deal.
Biden and Rouhani also have to contend with fierce opponents to the agreement in Washington and Tehran, as well as in the region, and they will need to show that any concessions are met with reciprocal actions by the other side, former U.S. officials said.Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif have sent clear messages that Iran is ready to talk to the Biden administration about reviving the deal, as long as Washington abides by the terms of the agreement. “Our aim is to lift the pressure of sanctions from the shoulders of our people,” Rouhani said in televised remarks at a recent Cabinet meeting.
“Wherever this favorable opportunity arises we will act on our responsibilities. No one should miss any opportunity.”– Agencies
