The Iranian negotiating team and its P5+1 counterparts — United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom, France and Germany — headed by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton concluded an interim agreement in Geneva on Nov. 24. This was achieved after several rounds of intense and inconclusive talks as well as concurrent bilateral contacts, and has sparked ferocious debates among pundits and policy experts around the world.
In both Washington and Tehran, divergent interpretations of the Geneva agreement and its future prospects have emerged, given the importance of garnering public and legislative support, which remains vital for both sides. Many have welcomed the deal as the triumph of diplomacy over a potential risk of slipping into an all-out conflict that could engulf the entire region with devastating consequences. This achievement is also described as the triumph of rationalism of those who have been concerned about the scourge of war that has been inflicted upon the Middle East in recent years.