'Close doesn't count': Mideast experts assess potential U.S.-Iran agreement

Despite mutual claims of nearing an agreement, the United States and Iran are reportedly at odds over the details of a potential deal, with each side accusing the other of misrepresenting the terms. This situation echoes past negotiations, particularly during the JCPOA talks, where differing interpretations of discussions between Tehran and Washington were common.

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Again, we're close to a deal. We've been close to a deal many times, but close doesn't count; 85 percent is actually sort of terrifying, because the closer you get, the harder it is.

Alan Eyre, a former negotiator for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, believes that while both nations appear to want an agreement to prevent military escalation, "close doesn't count." He anticipates that Iran's core nuclear capabilities will likely remain intact, suggesting that the "traditional red lines" Iran has set will not be violated.

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So we'll just have to wait and see. But the most important fact is, it looks like there could well be an agreement to begin negotiations. And that would be great news.

Miad Maleki, an Iran analyst, agrees that proximity to a deal does not guarantee its finalization. He highlights that for Iran, the memorandum of understanding must not compromise its enrichment capabilities or its commitment to future enrichment. Maleki emphasizes the importance of understanding the specific text of the agreement, noting that Iran wants to ensure it does not involve a complete relinquishment of its enrichment capacity.

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I do. I think here's the way that I'm looking at this.And I'm sure you all remember during the JCPOA negotiations that we were having the same issue, that Iranians were presenting a different version of what was being negotiated or discussed than what here in D.C. and in Washington and the U.S. we were tracking as far as the talks.

Both experts agree that the most significant development would be an agreement to begin formal negotiations, which they view as potentially "great news." However, the exact content and implications of any deal remain subject to speculation until officially released.

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On the nuclear issue, they really want to make sure that what's being presented in the text, it's not a full-on Iran giving up its enrichment capability or no commitment to not ever being able to enrich uranium.