Iran nuclear deal close; both sides face harsh politics at home
If all goes according to plan, U.S. officials will return home from here next week declaring they have reached a historic agreement that will restrict Irans nuclear program forever.
Iranian officials will be in Tehran triumphantly explaining that they have secured a deal that will free Iran in a few years to pursue its nuclear program just like any other country.
Major international agreements usually require both sides to acknowledge theyve given ground. Because of the brutal politics of the nuclearissue, however, neither side has much room to acknowledge compromise.
As a result, over the next few months, U.S. and Iranian officials are likely to be making starkly contradictory cases about the deal they have reached, both seeking to sell it at home.
Inside windowless negotiating rooms here, we can talk about looking for a middle ground, said a European diplomat, who declined to be identified discussing the sensitive negotiations.
Outside in the light, its harder.
The nuclear negotiations, which have been underway for more than two years, have reached a crucial phase, with both sides indicating that a deal is near. Agreement on at least the outline of a deal could be reached in a few days, diplomats say.
After a three-day break, diplomats began converging here on Wednesday to resume talks. The new round will begin with U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Thursday.
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has set the bar sky high for what sort of deal will be acceptable, saying any agreement must preserve Irans dignity and integrity by giving it the freedom accorded any other country to pursue a civilian nuclear program.
Under pressure from Congress, Israel and Irans Arab rivals, the Obama administration is living under the rule of distrust and verify.
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Iran nuclear deal close; both sides face harsh politics at home