The relationship between Iran and United States has long been complex . Iran sees the U.S. as a threat to its national security and sovereignty due to decades of foreign interventions and sanctions imposed by Washington. For its part, the U.S. views Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism that seeks to undermine American interests and destabilize the Middle East through asymmetric means like supporting militant groups.
Under former President Donald Trump, tensions rose significantly with the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposition of sanctions. This put drastic pressure on Iran's economy. In response, Iran ramped up its nuclear program beyond deal limits and backed further militant attacks against U.S. allies in the region like Saudi Arabia and Israel. On the brink of open conflict, both countries came close to all-out war in January 2020 after the U.S. assassination of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and Iran's retaliatory missile strikes.
The election of President Joe Biden aimed to change this dangerous trajectory through diplomacy. His administration seeks to re-enter the Iran nuclear pact if Tehran returns to full compliance. However, negotiating ongoing U.S. sanctions relief in exchange for verifiable limits on Iran’s nuclear activities remains a steep challenge due to lack of trust on both sides. Powerful hardliners within Iran and the US Congress also oppose compromise. After 16 months of indirect talks in Vienna, a renewed deal appears farther away than ever.
In the interim, underlying tensions continue between the adversaries. Iran expanded its nuclear knowhow and now enriches uranium to levels closer to weapons grade. It also provides more advanced weapons like drones and ballistic missiles to allies, amplifying U.S. worries. From the American perspective, diplomacy can only proceed once Iran halts its nuclear advances and support for proxies. But Tehran insists on immediate sanctions relief before compliance with the nuclear accord. With neither budging and midterm elections approaching in the US, the stand-off may become more intractable .
Only political will and courage from leaders on both sides can overcome these growing obstacles. Both countries need to take simultaneous, reciprocal actions to reassure the other through confidence building if renewed diplomacy is to gain momentum. Otherwise, misperceptions and escalatory spirals could seriously undermine efforts to curtail the risks of another major Middle East war . Breaking this self-defeating cycle requires compromise but may prove an even taller order without stronger international support. The costs of inaction could be too high for all involved to bear. - https://mbscore.tv/match/israel-vs-romania-18713042

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Pub: 16 Nov 2023 02:36 UTC
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