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The Fruits of Diplomacy With Iran

IN THIS ISSUE: The fruits of diplomacy with Iran, the New Deal, the benefits of mutual distrust, Russia hails Iran nuclear deal, but it's a mixed blessing, Iran nuclear deal 'good for relations between China and US,' says FM, Ankara backs Iran nuclear deal, despite odds over regional issues.

Published on April 7, 2015

The Fruits of Diplomacy With Iran

William Burns | New York Times

In a perfect world, there would be no nuclear enrichment in Iran, and its existing enrichment facilities would be dismantled. But we don’t live in a perfect world. We can’t wish or bomb away the basic know-how and enrichment capability that Iran has developed. What we can do is sharply constrain it over a long duration, monitor it with unprecedented intrusiveness, and prevent the Iranian leadership from enriching material to weapons grade and building a bomb.

The New Deal

Jessica T. Mathews | New York Review of Books

The deal finally reached on April 2 was a surprise. While the announcement referred only to “parameters,” summarized in individual press releases by each participant country, taken together, the elements that were made public are stronger than outsiders (and, reportedly, some insiders) expected. 

The Benefits of Mutual Distrust

George Perkovich | POLITICO

Multiple U.S. intelligence estimates conclude that Iran’s leaders have not decided to acquire nuclear weapons, and, according to one report, that “Iran’s nuclear decision making is guided by a cost-benefit approach, which offers the international community opportunities to influence Tehran.” 

Russia Hails Iran Nuclear Deal, But is a Mixed Blessing for Moscow

Laura Mills | Wall Street Journal

"If the (final) agreement is signed in June, Russia will be the loser," said Alexey Malashenko, an analyst at the Moscow Carnegie Center. "Now, Iran will be more inclined toward the West. For Russia, that's a problem."

Iran Nuclear Deal Was 'Good for Boosting Relations Between China and US,' Says Foreign Minister Wang Yi 

South China Morning Post 

Wang told US Secretary of State John Kerry in a phone call on Friday night that the agreement could be attributed to all sides seizing a historic opportunity through concerted efforts.

Ankara Backs Iran Nuclear Deal, Despite Odds Over Regional Issues

Abdullah Ayasun | Today's Zaman

Conceding that the deal could pave the way for a more aggressive Tehran in the region, Sinan Ülgen places emphasis on the promise of an agreement that would clear the way for Turkish trade with Iran once sanctions are lifted.

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.