The United States and Iran held nuclear talks, raising hopes for peace. According to multiple sources including the British Broadcasting Corporation and Cable News Network, the representatives of the United States and Iran, Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, held nuclear talks in Oman and Italy. Nuclear talks are a promising step after weeks of heated rhetoric between Iran, which says that its nuclear programs are peaceful, and the US, which considers these an aim at developing nuclear weapons. Both parties are optimistic of reaching a nuclear agreement soon. But it remains unclear whether the potential agreement will be reached between the parties.
Hopefully saying, the US-Iran nuclear talks —the heart of which remains Iran’s uranium enrichment which is a vital indicator of how close a country is to developing a nuclear weapon — have made some progress. By this time, both parties, which have been in a rival relationship since the Iranian Revolution in 1979 that overthrew the US-supported Shah’s regime in Tehran, have expressed the positive direction of the talks, which were held after six years, and agreed to work on a nuclear deal framework for setting terms and conditions aiming at ensuring that Iran is free of nuclear weapons, sanctions imposed by the United States against the country are lifted and Iran is allowed to develop peaceful nuclear energy.
The potential nuclear deal has the chance of reducing tensions not only between the United States and Iran but also in the region, at least somewhat, due to a reduction in rivalry and other reasons. Notably, Iran’s nuclear programs were one of the crucial causes of the growing US-Iran rivalry for a long. Israel has recently considered attacking Iran’s nuclear sites to end its uranium enrichment and the chance of developing nuclear weapons. But the US administration annulled it that fostered the nuclear talks. But given Iran-Israel rivalries and renewed strikes in Gaza, how much US-Iran rivalries will reduce and whether there will be peace remains uncertain.
Photo credit: https://edition.cnn.com/.
But there are also challenges that can hinder reaching a nuclear deal. Differing interests and unrealistic demands may put barriers. While the US wants to halt the production of highly enriched uranium, Iran says it is willing to negotiate some curbs in return for the lifting of sanctions. Among others, the lack of trust between the countries is a crucial barrier. Iran has already unsurprisingly demanded “watertight guarantees” that Washington, which withdrew from the promising 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA) in 2018 in which Iran agreed to cap enrichment at 3.67 percent in exchange for withdrawing some sanctions, will not renege again.
Pertinently saying, developing nuclear weapons has become a security while leaving it is a security threat. This is more relevant to Iran amidst growing geopolitical rivalries. But given that nuclear talks between the United States and Iran will continue, there remain chances of addressing challenges and concerns. Hopefully saying, both parties have in the meantime expressed their intention to address the issues of concern — although there is nothing to be overly optimistic or pessimistic yet.
But talks need to be continued before reaching the nuclear deal. Challenges and concerns need to be addressed. But it is vital to ensure that the deal will not be withdrawn unilaterally by any party if reached. A guarantee from the United States is crucial. The commitment of both parties, which is somewhat difficult because of long rivalries and other causes, is also crucial.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
