Source: MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell Reports
Speaking on MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell Reports, Carnegie’s Karim Sadjadpour explained that any resolution to the problem posed by the Iranian nuclear program will ultimately be due to the decisions of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. He steers the nuclear ship and no deal can be made without him. Unfortunately, noted Sadjadpour, “Khamenei views hostility to the United States and Israel as a central pillar of his revolutionary ideology.” As a result, it seems as though no deal can be made with Ayatollah Khamenei, yet no deal can be made with him.
Furthermore, Israeli national security interests and American domestic politics have only furthered exacerbated the problematic nature of efforts to reach a deal. Ultimately, Sadjadpour stated that “this conflict cannot be resolved at this time, but needs to be managed.” Negotiations like those at the recent Istanbul meeting can help to deescalate tensions and establish stability between all concerned parties.