Biden ’s Posturing on Iran Complicates Diplomacy

John GlaserDiplomacy with Iran has been stalled since President Biden came into office, largely as a result of Biden ’s tough opening position. The administration has insisted that, although Trump abrogated the nuclear deal when Iran was fully compliant, Iran must make the first move in bringing its nuclear program back within the limits of the JCPOA before the United States will even consider lifting sanctions. In response, the Iranians proposed a step ‐​by‐​step process by which each side simultaneously puts an end to their violations and restores the agreement. Biden’s hardline position, probably intended to placate hawkish critics on Capitol Hill, was so stubbornly unmoving that it seemed to dismiss the notion of formal negotiations — at least until Iran satisfied this petty insistence to move first.Fortunately, Biden hassoftened his position …somewhat. It might be more precise to say that the administration is offering a few diplomatic carrots in hopes that Iran will accommodate its demand to move first. In a strong signal of their desire to deal, Biden ’s State Department announced that the United States would accept an invitation from the EU to attend a meeting of the P5+1 and Iran to discuss reviving the deal. The administration also rescinded Trump ’s stated policy of re‐​imposing UN sanctions (which the Security Council hadrejected anyways) and loosened Trump ’s travel restrictions on Iranian diplomats in New York.O...
Source: Cato-at-liberty - Category: American Health Authors: Source Type: blogs