Iranian political analysts believe that US President Donald Trump will resume a policy of maximum pressure on the Islamic Republic but do not rule out the possibility of a deal with Tehran. This assessment was reported by the state newspaper Iran.
The newspaper suggests that Trump might attempt to pressure Russia and China to halt their cooperation with Iran. If Iran is "deprived of economic ties with China and defense cooperation with Russia," it may feel compelled to negotiate with the US, the article claims.
While the current Iranian government has advocated for talks with the US, Washington has ignored these overtures, according to the publication. It further argues that "Iran must act in a way that makes the Trump administration's foreign policy team—still divided on its Iran strategy—view negotiations as a necessity rather than a concession."
Trump's First-Term Approach
During his first term, Trump pursued a policy of maximum pressure, including imposing strict sanctions on Tehran, withdrawing the US from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), increasing military and economic support for Israel.
Trump has hinted at the possibility of armed conflict with Iran, citing alleged efforts by Tehran to develop nuclear weapons.
The JCPOA and Iran's Response
The JCPOA, signed in 2015 by the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) and Iran, aimed to resolve concerns over Iran's nuclear program. However, Trump exited the deal in 2018 and reinstated all sanctions previously lifted under the agreement.
In retaliation, Iran's parliament passed the "Strategic Action to Lift Sanctions and Protect the Interests of the Iranian Nation" law in 2020. This law reduced Iran’s compliance with JCPOA obligations, including halting certain inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and curbing monitoring measures.
Iran has maintained that the West must fully comply with the JCPOA for the nuclear deal’s safeguards and oversight mechanisms to be restored.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Christian Ohde/Imago/TASS
Based on TASS materials