US Mulls Seeking Broader Deal In Nuclear Talks With Iran
The Obama administration might put forward a broader proposal to Iran during the next round of nuclear talks scheduled for later this month, diplomatic sources told Al-Monitor. Laura Rozen on the thinking behind the "go big" approach rather than the more incremental one presented at a meeting last month in Baghdad.
The Obama administration is considering putting forward a broader proposal to Iran, rather than the more incremental one presented at a meeting last month in Baghdad, diplomatic sources told Al-Monitor.
Those arguing in favor of the "go big" approach say their thinking has been influenced by two recent diplomatic encounters with Iran that cast doubt on the viability of an incremental deal, as well as by Israeli concerns over any interim deal being the last one reached with Iran for the next few years, officials said.
"The Israelis are concerned that once you get a deal, it will be the last deal for a long time — the next two to three years," a Western official told Al-Monitor Thursday on condition of anonymity.
"So the Israelis are afraid that we will agree to a s----- deal, and tell ourselves it's only the initial step," the official continued. No new sanctions are likely to be imposed at that point, even if the parties do not go on to agree to other steps, as currently planned, the official said about Israeli thinking.
