Diplomatic efforts to revive the Iran nuclear deal have stalled for nearly two years. Washington and its European allies refuse to close the door on diplomacy. Their reasons reflect the danger of alternative approaches and the unpredictable consequences of a military strike. There is still time to change Tehran’s course, officials say, even if it is preparing to manufacture fissile materials. Diplomats said they believe Iran has not started to get 90% richer, which they consider a red line.
A US intelligence estimate leaked in late 2007 assessed with high confidence that Iran was working on developing nuclear weapons. US politicians have become more hostile to reaching a deal due to Iran’s ruthless crackdown on protests. Diplomats say there is no imminent consideration of military action against Iran and suggested a strike might simply bolster any Iranian desire for nuclear weapons and risk Iranian reprisals. A senior Biden administration official said other diplomatic solutions may be possible. “Knowing, when and how the JCPOA can be revived is a difficult question,” he said.
