Some in Iran worry Republican victory could derail talks
Iranian analysts are speculating what a Republican victory in the midterm US elections means for a nuclear deal and reducing tensions.
In the midterm elections Nov. 4, Republicans took back control of the Senate from the Democrats, giving them full control of Congress with just two years left in office for President Barack Obama.
The victory has sparked a great deal of speculation inside Iran. Analysts in the media have questioned what impact the change will have on Obama’s ability to sell Congress on a potential Iranian nuclear deal by the Nov. 24 deadline, one that would remove unilateral US sanctions on Iran and ultimately decrease tensions between the two countries.
Reformist Shargh Daily, which has routinely given both President Hassan Rouhani and Obama positive coverage of their efforts to resolve the nuclear issue, reminded readers that during Republican George W. Bush’s presidency, “The threat of war reached the corners of Tehran” and that most well known Republican Senators have “anti-Iran positions.”
While the article acknowledged that Obama has the authority to waive sanctions for a period of 120 days without Congressional approval, this power is not enough, as Iran is “after a complete deal.”
