Is Iran’s New President Presenting a Moderating Image to Lure the West Back into a Nuclear Deal?
Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has indeed been presenting a moderating image to the West, particularly in his efforts to rekindle the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal. During his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, Pezeshkian emphasized the need for the West to fulfill previous commitments to lift sanctions and improve Iran’s economic conditions, paving the way for further agreements.
Pezeshkian’s diplomatic outreach has been met with skepticism by some analysts, who argue that his efforts are part of a long-standing tactic by the Iranian regime to ward off Western economic sanctions and pressure. Despite this skepticism, Pezeshkian has managed to secure support from some conservative forces, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, a key figure in previous nuclear negotiations.
The Iranian regime’s desire to resume nuclear negotiations is clear, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating that Tehran is prepared to initiate discussions provided “the other parties are ready”. This aligns with Pezeshkian’s mission to seek talks with the West in order to obtain sanctions relief, which is supported by the power center in Iran, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
However, experts remain unconvinced about the sincerity of Pezeshkian’s efforts, pointing out that the regime has a history of using diplomatic overtures to secure concessions while continuing its nuclear program. The emphasis on “power, not pressure” highlights the regime’s understanding that it can leverage nuclear coercion and blackmail to secure Western concessions.
