Looking Beyond the Interim Deal

{
  "authors": [
    "Ariel (Eli) Levite"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
    "Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center"
  ],
  "collections": [
    "Iranian Proliferation",
    "U.S. Nuclear Policy"
  ],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "NPP",
  "programs": [
    "Nuclear Policy"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "North America",
    "United States",
    "Middle East",
    "Iran"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform",
    "Security",
    "Nuclear Policy"
  ]
}

In The Media

Looking Beyond the Interim Deal

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei continues to procrastinate because he hopes to tactically leverage U.S. President Barack Obama’s eagerness for a deal into even better terms.

By Ariel (Eli) Levite

Published on Jan 27, 2015

Source: Arms Control Today

The negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program have been extended again, removing any remaining doubts that, after 18 months of intense negotiations, the key to obtaining a comprehensive agreement still hinges on finding clever, new technical solutions to bridge the remaining disagreements between the parties.

The contours of an achievable deal now seem clear. The United States and its P5+1 partners (China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United Kingdom) have gone very far to accommodate Iran’s preferred terms regarding enrichment capability and gradual sanctions relief.

Yet, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei continues to procrastinate because he hopes to tactically leverage U.S. President Barack Obama’s eagerness for a deal into even better terms or he remains strategically uncertain that his regime can survive the political transformation such a deal might introduce. Either way, although negotiations will linger for some additional months, the United States must move on...

Read the full article in Arms Control Today, Vol. 45: No.1, January/February 2015.

Political Reform Security Nuclear Policy North America United States Middle East Iran

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.

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Paper
Indian Americans in a Time of Turbulence: 2026 Survey Results
A new Carnegie survey of Indian Americans examines shifting vote preferences, growing political ambivalence, and rising concerns about discrimination amid U.S. policy changes and geopolitical uncertainty.
+1
Milan Vaishnav, Sumitra Badrinathan, Devesh Kapur, …
Article
The Evolving Middle Eastern Regional Order: Türkiye-Iraq Relations in Context
In this moment of geopolitical fluidity, Türkiye and Iraq have been drawn to each other. Economic and security agreements can help solidify the relationship.
Derya Göçer, Meliha Altunışık
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Signs of an Imminent End to the Ukraine War Are Deceptive
The main source of Russian aggression is a profound mistrust of the West and the firm belief that it intends to inflict a “strategic defeat” on Russia. As long as this fear persists, the war will not end.
Tatiana Stanovaya
Commentary
Strategic Europe
Can Europe Still Matter in Syria?
Europe’s interests in Syria extend beyond migration management, yet the EU trails behind other players in the country’s post-Assad reconstruction. To boost its influence in Damascus, the union must upgrade its commitment to ensuring regional stability.
Bianka Speidl, Hanga Horváth-Sántha
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Where Does the Split in the Ruling Tandem Leave Kyrgyzstan?
Despite its reputation as an island of democracy in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan appears to be on the brink of becoming a personalist autocracy.
Temur Umarov

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Paper

Indian Americans in a Time of Turbulence: 2026 Survey Results

A new Carnegie survey of Indian Americans examines shifting vote preferences, growing political ambivalence, and rising concerns about discrimination amid U.S. policy changes and geopolitical uncertainty.

- +1
Milan Vaishnav, Sumitra Badrinathan, Devesh Kapur, …

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - OCTOBER 30: Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat (2nd L) and Iraqi Trade Minister Etir Davud Selman al-Greyri (3rd R) sign the JETCO 2nd Term Protocol and the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Exhibition Services during The 2nd Session Meeting of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), held to develop commercial and economic relations between Turkiye and Iraq in Iraq's Baghdad on October 30, 2025.

Article

The Evolving Middle Eastern Regional Order: Türkiye-Iraq Relations in Context

In this moment of geopolitical fluidity, Türkiye and Iraq have been drawn to each other. Economic and security agreements can help solidify the relationship.

Derya Göçer, Meliha Altunışık

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Signs of an Imminent End to the Ukraine War Are Deceptive

The main source of Russian aggression is a profound mistrust of the West and the firm belief that it intends to inflict a “strategic defeat” on Russia. As long as this fear persists, the war will not end.

Tatiana Stanovaya

Commentary

Strategic Europe

Can Europe Still Matter in Syria?

Europe’s interests in Syria extend beyond migration management, yet the EU trails behind other players in the country’s post-Assad reconstruction. To boost its influence in Damascus, the union must upgrade its commitment to ensuring regional stability.

Bianka Speidl, Hanga Horváth-Sántha

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Where Does the Split in the Ruling Tandem Leave Kyrgyzstan?

Despite its reputation as an island of democracy in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan appears to be on the brink of becoming a personalist autocracy.

Temur Umarov