Introduction

On 20th January 2025, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States of America. The Republican leader was welcomed to the White House with a series of world conflicts and crises, most notably the Russia-Ukraine crisis and the Israel-Palestine conflict. At the same time, Trump had to wage an economic war with his rival, the People’s Republic of China. In the first year of his presidency, he is laboring to come up with a comprehensive plan for these problems. Meanwhile, the US president is not failing in his attempt to revive the nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran. 

The Iranian nuclear deal is popularly known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). It was signed in Vienna in 2015 between Iran and the P5+1. P5 refers to the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany and the European Union. The primary purpose of the deal was to put a limit on the nuclear capabilities of the Islamic Republic. During his first term as the US president, Trump withdrew from the JCPOA and reimposed sanctions on Tehran. 

According to US officials, Trump abandoned the agreement because it was signed for only 15 years. After 15 years, it would expire. Also, Trump believed that a new agreement needed to be signed that would cover the ballistic missile program of Iran. 

The US-Iran Nuclear Deal: Recent Developments 

The 2018 withdrawal of Trump from the JCPOA prompted a series of escalations. Since then, Iran has accelerated the enrichment of pure uranium by 60 percent. Though it consistently stresses that uranium enrichment has little to do with the nuclear program and more to do with peaceful civilian purposes, the Western powers think otherwise. The Western countries accuse Iran of acquiring nuclear capabilities so that it can wage a war against its immediate rivals and neighbors: the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Israel. 

To hamper the nuclear program in Iran, talks are being held in the mountain-wrapped capital of Oman. The direct and indirect talks are held between Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The Omani foreign minister, Badr al-Busaidi, acts as a mediator in these talks. While throwing light on the ongoing talks, the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that if a deal ensued between the US and Iran, Iran would have to abandon the enrichment of uranium for good. However, it would have complete freedom to import enriched uranium from any part of the world to fuel the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP)—the first Iranian nuclear reactor. 

According to Iranian officials, its defense capabilities and missile programs are non-negotiable. Iran has made it clear that it can not surrender its enriched uranium stockpiles. However, it can negotiate on some points in return for the lifting of sanctions. Officials of both countries are satisfied with the progress made through these talks. Also, the two countries are optimistic about the future of the deal. 

How Will the Nuclear Deal Impact the Region and the Parties Involved? 

Revival of the Iranian Economy 

They say that economic growth is the key to prosperity. If you go around, you will see practical examples of how economic giants rule the world. The contemporary world is marked by interdependence on economic and political fronts. No country can prosper if it is sanctioned by other states. The successful nuclear deal will eventually lift the sanctions on Iran. This will increase the revenue of the country.

The 2010 sanctions on Iran halted the exports of Iranian oil and froze Iranian foreign assets worth 100 billion USD. All the sanctions pulled the country’s economy into recession. The value of the Iranian currency dropped, and inflation increased at an exponential rate. A famous saying in international relations says that economic stability is the backbone of national security. Once Iran becomes economically stable, it will attract the numerical majority of foreign investors. The foreign investment will not only generate employment but also improve the living standards of Iranians. 

Peace in the Middle East 

A successful nuclear deal is synonymous with peace in the Middle East. For years, the Middle East has been involved in regional conflicts and skirmishes. Preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear power will diminish the likelihood of war between Iran and its rivals. 

Also, the nuclear program of Iran creates a security dilemma for Israel. To safeguard its boundaries, Israel can conduct strikes on the nuclear arsenals. In a recent interview with Time magazine, President Trump said that it depends on Israel to decide whether or not it would attack the nuclear arsenals of Iran. However, the U.S. can develop a deal with Iran before bombs are dropped by Israel. 

The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in an interview, said that Israel wants the complete dismantling of nuclear weapons in Iran. He said that Israel would go into Iran, dismantle and demolish the nuclear arsenal, and then come back under the supervision of the USA. 

Strengthening the US-Israel Relations 

President Trump once said that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. If the Trump administration succeeds in hampering the nuclear program of Iran, it will strengthen relations between Israel and the USA. Also, the US is suffering from the empty-nest syndrome. It suggests that it is difficult for the US to let go of its only friend in the Middle East. No matter what is at stake, the US loves to do things in the Middle East that will help Israel in any way. 

The Israeli government fears that Trump might compromise on certain points. This is one of the reasons why Israel is showing deep concern for the ongoing US-Iran talks in Muscat, Oman. 

Conclusion

The 47th president of the US is struggling to revise the clauses of the Iran nuclear deal. During his first term, he withdrew from the JCPOA because it didn’t cover the ballistic missile system of Iran. This time, he is optimistic that he will put limitations on the nuclear program of Iran. 

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