Iran and US Move Closer to a Deal: Why may it take time to finalize the agreement between Iran and America? What was JCPOA and when did it come into force? Why did the 2015 Iran nuclear deal collapse?
If any relationship is named among the most complex diplomatic stories of the world, then America and Iran will definitely be included in it. Issues of tension, sanctions, nuclear programs and regional politics between the two countries have been a cause of dispute for decades. In such a situation, even though the signing of the recent agreement is being considered a major diplomatic success, experts believe that the real challenge is still pending.
The real conversation will start after the signing.
According to reports, on June 17, representatives of both the countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). However this is not the final agreement. Now there will be detailed discussion on many sensitive issues like nuclear programme, uranium control, security of the Strait of Hormuz, economic sanctions and financial claims. It will not be easy to reach consensus on these topics. Rami Khouri, a Lebanon-based academic and expert on West Asia affairs, also believes that it may take longer than the proposed 60-day deadline.
The 2015 nuclear deal took many years to reach.
The diplomatic process between Iran and America has been long in the past. The famous nuclear deal of 2015, called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was not made suddenly. Its talks started in 2013 and it was implemented only in January 2016. This agreement included not only America and Iran, but also China, Russia, France, Britain and Germany. At that time it was considered a big step towards stability in West Asia.
Why was the previous deal broken?
The JCPOA was designed for the long term, but changes in US politics changed its course. In 2018, President Donald Trump withdrew America from this agreement. They argued that the deal does not go far enough in limiting Iran’s missile activities and regional influence. After this, distrust between the two countries increased. Sanctions, retaliatory measures and regional conflicts further complicated the situation. Several rounds of talks took place, but no permanent solution could be reached.
Will the result be different this time?
The recent agreement has certainly raised hopes, but history shows that the path to any agreement between Iran and America is long and difficult. Signing the paper is a first step, while real success will depend on the complex issues that have to be negotiated in the coming months. The eyes of the world are now focused on whether the two countries will be able to reach a permanent consensus this time or whether this effort will remain incomplete like the previous efforts.