Iran should not ...
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To break free from the current deadlock, Iran needs to shed old taboos. Experience has shown that taboos such as refusing to negotiate with the US, or resorting only to indirect talks, have brought no benefit to Iran and instead imposed heavy costs on its people. The time has come for Iran to enter into direct negotiations with Washington and resolve its disputes, particularly as many of the issues that once divided the two countries have now lost relevance, paving the way toward an agreement. Unlike Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who thrives on confrontation, Washington is currently looking for diplomacy, and Iran has the chance to resolve its problems directly with the US.
Given developments in recent months, Iran and the US are no longer immediate threats to one another. What must be avoided is the transformation of the Iran–Israel standoff into an Iran–US confrontation. Netanyahu’s push against Tehran in the wake of the October 7, 2023 attacks and the subsequent war on Gaza was driven step by step to drag Washington into a clash with Tehran—something that must not be allowed to succeed.
In any prospective talks, Iran should steer clear of intermediaries and prolonged indirect channels, since such arrangements only serve Israel’s interests. Tehran and Washington need to sit face to face at the negotiating table, and today the conditions for doing so are more favorable than before. A workable agreement could be within reach.
At present, Iran’s and America’s incentives to negotiate are in fact closer to each other than America’s alignment with Israel. Washington has signed some $4 trillion worth of economic contracts in the region, the execution of which hinges on security. Iran, too, is actively seeking to establish and preserve regional stability. By contrast, Israel stands out as the lone actor undermining security.
Against this backdrop, Iran must shed outdated taboos, directly address its regional challenges, and move toward resolving its differences with the US.