Six years later, the need for the Iran nuclear deal is as strong as ever. EPC Commentary July 2021.

Paul, Amanda and Chihaia, Mihai Sebastian (2021) Six years later, the need for the Iran nuclear deal is as strong as ever. EPC Commentary July 2021. [Policy Paper]

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Abstract

Reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal is the quickest way to address the Middle Eastern nation’s deep economic woes. Yet broader cooperation and engagement with the West on other issues seems unlikely under President-elect Raisi. The EU must facilitate the parties’ return to the deal or risks finding a nuclear Iran on its doorstep. In an election marred by the mass disqualification of moderate candidates and widespread apathy, hard-liner cleric Ebrahim Raisi won Iran’s presidential ballot on 18 June. While the country faces many challenges, Raisi’s priority is to improve Iran’s dire economic situation. He can only achieve this through sanctions relief. Restoring the 2015 nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is crucial. But beyond this, Raisi has no interest in pursuing broader cooperation with the West. Instead, he aims to firm up regional security and economic ties and strengthen Iran’s pivot to the East, particularly China.

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