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Allies Warn Rushed US-Iran Deal Could Backfire
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Economy & Trade

Allies Warn Rushed US-Iran Deal Could Backfire

From Asharq Al-Awsat · (3d ago) English Critical tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • European allies express concern that a rushed US-Iran framework deal could backfire, creating long-term problems.
  • They fear the US, eager for a diplomatic win, might agree to a superficial deal on Iran's nuclear program and sanctions relief.
  • The White House rejected criticism, stating President Trump prioritizes deals that put America first.

European allies are voicing significant apprehension regarding the potential for a hastily negotiated framework deal between the United States and Iran. Diplomats with extensive experience dealing with Tehran suggest that an inexperienced US negotiating team may be prioritizing a quick, headline-grabbing agreement over a substantive resolution. This approach, they fear, could entrench existing problems rather than solve them, leading to prolonged technical deadlocks in subsequent, more complex talks.

The concern isn’t that there won’t be an agreement. It's that there will be a bad initial agreement that creates endless downstream problems.

— Senior European diplomatExpressing the primary fear among European allies regarding a potential US-Iran deal.

The core concern among these allies is that Washington, driven by a desire for a diplomatic victory for President Donald Trump, might settle for a superficial accord concerning Iran's nuclear activities and the lifting of sanctions. Such an agreement, while offering immediate political gains, could then bog down negotiations for months or years as the intricate technical details are addressed. As one senior European diplomat noted, the worry is not the absence of an agreement, but the potential for a "bad initial agreement that creates endless downstream problems."

President Trump has a proven track record of achieving good deals on behalf of the United States and the American people, and he will only accept one that puts America first.

— Anna KellyWhite House spokeswoman responding to criticisms of the negotiating approach.

These concerns are amplified by the historical context. European nations, including France, Britain, and Germany, were instrumental in negotiating the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). They recall the immense technical work and 12 years of negotiation that underpinned that deal. The current situation, where talks appear to be moving at a much faster pace, raises skepticism about the depth and sustainability of any emerging agreement. While the White House maintains that President Trump is committed to securing deals that "put America first," the European perspective emphasizes the need for thoroughness and a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues at play to avoid future complications.

It took us 12 years and immense technical work. Does anyone seriously think this can be done in 21 hours?

— Federica MogheriniFormer EU foreign policy chief questioning the feasibility of a rapid deal, referencing the lengthy negotiations for the 2015 JCPOA.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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