Iran Nuke Deal Should End Threat, Not Postpone It

Judging by public statements, prospects for a new deal to contain Iran’s nuclear program may be improving. A top adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has affirmed the regime is willing to dispose of its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium, restrict itself to a purely civilian program and commit to never developing a bomb. While the US should accept nothing less, a truly effective agreement will require more.

Negotiators have now held four rounds of talks. That’s encouraging, but it also suggests the US has given up on the broader “grand bargain” one would’ve hoped to see. While at certain points American officials have spoken of addressing all of Iran’s malign activities — including its ballistic-missile buildup and support for regional terrorist groups — and of entirely “dismantling” its nuclear program, it is unlikely Iranian negotiators would still be at the table if such issues were under discussion. Talks instead seem to be focused on the same challenge that animated the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action: how to ensure Iran’s enrichment activities don’t lead to a nuclear weapon.