ASSESSMENTS

Next Steps for the U.S.-Iran Deal

Nov 25, 2013 | 11:34 GMT

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran after talks in Geneva on Nov. 24.

ARASH KHAMOOSHI/AFP/Getty Images

Summary

What was unthinkable for many people over many years happened in the early hours of Nov. 24 in Geneva: The United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran struck a deal. After a decadelong struggle, the two reached an accord that seeks to ensure that Iran's nuclear program remains a civilian one. It is a preliminary deal, and both sides face months of work to batten down domestic opposition, build convincing mechanisms to assure compliance and unthread complicated global sanctions.
 
That is the easy part. More difficult will be the process to reshape bilateral relations while virtually every regional player in the Middle East seeks ways to cope with an Iran that is no longer geopolitically encumbered.

Regional players in the Middle East will now need to cope with a newly unencumbered Iran....

Keep Reading

Register to read three free articles

Proceed to sign up

Register Now

Already have an account?

Sign In