Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi expressed strong optimism about the possibility of a major diplomatic breakthrough with the United States, describing the opportunity as “historic” for reaching an “unprecedented agreement” between the two countries. These remarks came ahead of a new round of indirect negotiations, reflecting a growing political momentum and a desire to overcome years of tension.
Araghchi, a senior negotiator on the nuclear issue, wrote on the X platform: “We have a historic opportunity to reach an unprecedented agreement that dispels shared concerns and fulfills common interests.” He added that this ambitious goal is “within our grasp if diplomacy is prioritized,” emphasizing that Tehran is preparing for the next round of talks “with a determination to achieve a fair and equitable agreement as soon as possible.”.
Historical context of the negotiations
These negotiations trace their roots back to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), more commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, which was signed in 2015 between Iran and the P5+1 group of nations (the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany). Under this agreement, Iran agreed to significantly curtail its nuclear program and open its facilities to rigorous international monitoring in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.
However, this delicate balance collapsed in 2018 when former US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew his country from the agreement and reimposed harsh economic sanctions as part of a “maximum pressure” campaign. In response, Iran began gradually reducing its compliance with its nuclear commitments and increased its uranium enrichment levels, alarming international powers and bringing the specter of a crisis back to the forefront.
The importance of the agreement and its expected impact
Reaching a new agreement or reviving the original agreement carries major strategic importance on all levels:
- On the Iranian domestic front: Lifting the sanctions could revive the Iranian economy, which is suffering from severe crises, improve the standard of living of citizens, and strengthen the position of the moderate and reformist faction within the power structure in Tehran.
- Regionally, the agreement could help reduce tensions in the Middle East, particularly given the concerns of the Gulf states and Israel regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions and regional influence. It may also pave the way for broader regional dialogue to address outstanding security issues.
- On the international level, the success of the negotiations would represent a victory for multilateral diplomacy and strengthen global nuclear non-proliferation efforts. It would also restore confidence in the international community's ability to resolve complex disputes through dialogue and allow Iran to fully reintegrate into the global economic system.
Despite the optimism expressed by the Iranian official, there are still major challenges facing the negotiators, relating to the mechanism for the simultaneous return to commitments by Washington and Tehran, the scope of sanctions to be lifted, and guarantees for the continuity of any future agreement.
