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Source: Getty

In The Media

Iran Nuclear Deal

Both pressure and diplomacy were essential in pushing Iran to the negotiating table and reaching an interim nuclear deal.

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By Karim Sadjadpour
Published on Nov 24, 2013
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The Middle East Program in Washington combines in-depth regional knowledge with incisive comparative analysis to provide deeply informed recommendations. With expertise in the Gulf, North Africa, Iran, and Israel/Palestine, we examine crosscutting themes of political, economic, and social change in both English and Arabic.

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Source: CNN’s Middle East Marketplace

Both pressure and diplomacy were essential in pushing Iran to the negotiating table and reaching an interim nuclear deal, Carnegie’s Karim Sadjadpour explained on CNN’s Middle East Marketplace. In addition, the arrival of President Hassan Rouhani and his Foreign Minister Javad Zarif was a game-changer. In contrast to Rouhani’s predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who united the international community against Iran, Javad Zarif started to create fissures within the international community, placing Iran’s national and economic interest before idealogical interests.

In order for there to really be a U.S.-Iran rapprochement, Sadjadpour said, Iran would have to dramatically halt some of its regional policies, mainly its rejection of Israel’s existence and its support for militant groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and Islamic jihad. However, he added that he hasn’t seen signs that Iran is ready to modify its policy towards Israel or cut lose President Assad in Syria.

This interview was originally aired on CNN’s Middle East Marketplace.

About the Author

Karim Sadjadpour

Senior Fellow, Middle East Program

Karim Sadjadpour is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where he focuses on Iran and U.S. foreign policy toward the Middle East.

    Recent Work

  • Q&A
    What’s Keeping the Iranian Regime in Power—for Now

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Karim Sadjadpour
Senior Fellow, Middle East Program
Karim Sadjadpour
Nuclear PolicyForeign PolicyUnited StatesMiddle EastIran

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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