Deal within reach if US drops excessive demands
By Ebrahim Rezaei
Spokesman of Iranian Parliament’s National Security & Foreign Policy Committee
So far, two rounds of talks have been held between Iran and the United States over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program. As stated by the Iranian negotiating team, the process has been moving along smoothly and is being viewed as positive and forward-leaning. The matters raised in the second round are set to be looked into by the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee during a session, with a number of Iranian negotiators in attendance. The committee will certainly keep tabs on the negotiations and maintain oversight throughout the process. Efforts in the committee will focus on ensuring that the talks stay in line with the principles and framework set by the Islamic Republic and that they serve the interests of both the state and its people.
From what can be seen, the general atmosphere of the talks has so far been constructive. The American negotiators have acted respectfully and have not taken a high-handed approach. Therefore, it seems that if things keep going in the same vein and the Americans do not press excessive demands, and if the talks stay centered on Iran’s nuclear issue alone—while sanctions get lifted and Iran’s uranium enrichment program is acknowledged—then reaching an agreement is certainly within the realm of possibility.
In his second term, US President Donald Trump appears to have stuck to his guns from his first presidency. However, he may now have come to the realization that the so-called “maximum pressure” and “smart sanctions” campaign has failed to bear fruit, and that negotiating with Iran is the only viable path forward.
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