Iran nuclear talks need to conclude
Next week marks the deadline set last March by government officials to reach an agreement with Iran over its nuclear ambitions. With no framework set yet, it is difficult to imagine that an agreement will be reached between Iran and the West by the end of the month. With Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei looking at June as the hard deadline for a deal, it has become increasingly evident that Iran is kicking the can down the road. In terms of producing results for a deal, it seems as if Iran never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity, to echo the words of the late Israeli politician Abba Eban.
Despite a gloomy forecast, it is imperative for the P5+1, comprised of the United States, France, Britain, China, Germany and Russia, to reach a deal with Iran by this March deadline and avoid further sanctions. Though hard-line Republicans in Washington are pushing for stricter sanctions if no deal is met, continuing the same narrative of isolation and repudiation leads to poorer diplomatic communication and often stagnates negotiations further. Gunning for the completion of a deal now sends a stronger message than threatening sanctions, especially from one branch of government in one country involved in the round of negotiations. Delay tactics and political maneuvering, both domestically and internationally, seldom lead to positive outcomes, and reaching a deal by the agreed-upon deadline gives more credit and value to any such deal.
Even if a deal is reached next week, a broad agreement or understanding of what some on the Iranian side of the negotiating table want is not sufficient enough. A deal must consist of limiting the number of spinning centrifuges as well as limiting the design of certain reactors. Iran must also pledge not to pursue ambitions to build a nuclear weapon. The use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is paramount to any deal cut between the parties.
Though the United States and its allies still hope for a grand bargain by next week, they would rather not walk away with nothing from the table. Striking a deal in June with certain agreements in hand by next week would at least be something the P5+1 can go home and show to their respective governments. Ayatollah Khamenei, however, has been adamant that there will only be one deal, and that deal is to be reached by June. The rhetoric employed conveys the sense that Iran is not serious about the negotiations and wishes only to cooperate on its own terms.
By permitting Iran to aim for a June deadline rather than next week, the P5+1 allows Iran to dictate the narrative and further delay any action. It’s like allowing your friend who still has your sweatshirt to keep waiting until the next time you hang out to return it. A deal requires concessions from both parties, and Iran’s conduct demonstrates that the nation is only willing to dance to the rhythm of its own drum. When the current round of negotiations began 18 months ago because of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s wish to boost his country’s economy, it was believed that Iran would finally sit down at the table with the willingness and sincerity to reach a deal. Instead, the picture that has been painted portrays a nation unwilling to concede any specifics of its nuclear capabilities and intent on delaying decisions until a later date. There is an opportunity now to reach a deal, and considering Iran’s track record, it will seize the opportunity to miss that opportunity.
The sweatshirt needs to be returned, and this time at the deadline agreed upon.
Athanasius Georgy is a sophomore majoring in economics. His column, “On the World Stage,” runs Thursdays.