The full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) struck by Iran and six world powers July 14 will have a great impact on Iran-US relations. It will diminish the existing mutual sense of threat between the two countries, and that change will be reflected in regional policies. The idea of collective action to solve regional issues will be strengthened and an era of multilateralism will consequentially emerge in the region.

The JCPOA has primarily served to solve a strategic discrepancy between Iran and the United States. Since Washington is the most significant extra-regional actor in the region, the deal will greatly affect regional political-security equations, especially regarding the future role and participation of Iran.

Indeed, the nuclear deal will remove the main justification for Washington’s previous “regime change” policy and portrayal of Iran as the main threat to the region. Although the conclusion of the JCPOA is initially aimed at tackling the presumed Iranian nuclear threat, the greater expectation is thus related to the positive implications of such an agreement on regional as well as international peace and security.

As such, fresh political space is emerging in Washington’s power circles where the necessity of engaging with Iran to resolve regional issues will be valued. Previously, and in the course of the nuclear negotiations, some European powers such as Germany and Britain had already endorsed the value of partnership with Iran on regional issues. This trend is gradually being extended to other European powers such as France. Other states, such as China, Russia, India and Turkey, have continuously emphasized the significance of Iran’s inclusion.