Amidst a cycle of chaos initiated by the United States (US) President Donald Trump’s war on global trade, Washington and Tehran are once again resuming talks. In a show of strength and intent, the US has mobilised significant firepower in and around the Middle East, to pressure the Iranian leadership to return to the table 10 years after the first nuclear deal was signed between the P5+1 states (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, and the US, plus Germany), and Tehran, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). During Trump’s first presidency, he unceremoniously exited the JCPOA in 2018, spilling water on years’ worth of negotiations which led to the signing of an agreement in Vienna, Austria. Trump had always criticised the deal, calling it ‘weak’ and ‘lopsided’ towards Tehran. Today, as he’s back at the White House, Trump is looking to negotiate another agreement—one he can take ownership of, instead of onboarding the legacy of his predecessors in former presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. A core requirement is Trump’s ‘seal of approval’ and ensuing headlines of peace and prosperity.
From JCPOA to Trump Deal: The New Chapter in US-Iran Nuclear Talks
