Trita Parsi
👤 PersonAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
I think what went really right is that both sides recognized that they need a deal. And that to get a deal, they need to have reasonable demands and not go for this type of maximalist approach that oftentimes has been the case. Both sides have politics in their countries that is very unforgiving of any type of a compromise with Iran or with the United States.
I think what went really right is that both sides recognized that they need a deal. And that to get a deal, they need to have reasonable demands and not go for this type of maximalist approach that oftentimes has been the case. Both sides have politics in their countries that is very unforgiving of any type of a compromise with Iran or with the United States.
I think what went really right is that both sides recognized that they need a deal. And that to get a deal, they need to have reasonable demands and not go for this type of maximalist approach that oftentimes has been the case. Both sides have politics in their countries that is very unforgiving of any type of a compromise with Iran or with the United States.
But Trump is very different in that sense. He doesn't really care what the political establishment in Washington thinks about these things. I think he's very... eager to get some sort of a deal because it's kind of part of his persona to be a dealmaker. And the Iranians recognize this.
But Trump is very different in that sense. He doesn't really care what the political establishment in Washington thinks about these things. I think he's very... eager to get some sort of a deal because it's kind of part of his persona to be a dealmaker. And the Iranians recognize this.
But Trump is very different in that sense. He doesn't really care what the political establishment in Washington thinks about these things. I think he's very... eager to get some sort of a deal because it's kind of part of his persona to be a dealmaker. And the Iranians recognize this.
So the opportunity for the Iranians to actually strike a deal is frankly greater now than it was ever during the Biden administration because Biden, according to his own envoy, Rob Malley, was at best lukewarm towards getting a deal. And if you're lukewarm towards getting a deal, you're not going to get the deal.
So the opportunity for the Iranians to actually strike a deal is frankly greater now than it was ever during the Biden administration because Biden, according to his own envoy, Rob Malley, was at best lukewarm towards getting a deal. And if you're lukewarm towards getting a deal, you're not going to get the deal.
So the opportunity for the Iranians to actually strike a deal is frankly greater now than it was ever during the Biden administration because Biden, according to his own envoy, Rob Malley, was at best lukewarm towards getting a deal. And if you're lukewarm towards getting a deal, you're not going to get the deal.
Well, a primary sticking point would be if Trump had adopted the position that the Israelis had pressed on him and pro-Israeli voices in Washington press switches, they want to see the complete dismantlement of the Iranian nuclear program. The reason why that is a problematic demand is because it will never be accepted by the Iranians.
Well, a primary sticking point would be if Trump had adopted the position that the Israelis had pressed on him and pro-Israeli voices in Washington press switches, they want to see the complete dismantlement of the Iranian nuclear program. The reason why that is a problematic demand is because it will never be accepted by the Iranians.
Well, a primary sticking point would be if Trump had adopted the position that the Israelis had pressed on him and pro-Israeli voices in Washington press switches, they want to see the complete dismantlement of the Iranian nuclear program. The reason why that is a problematic demand is because it will never be accepted by the Iranians.
The United States essentially would have to go to war to achieve that objective. which incidentally is exactly what the Israelis want. They are deliberately pushing a line that they know will be rejected in order to pave the way for Trump having to then escalate matters towards a military conflict.
The United States essentially would have to go to war to achieve that objective. which incidentally is exactly what the Israelis want. They are deliberately pushing a line that they know will be rejected in order to pave the way for Trump having to then escalate matters towards a military conflict.
The United States essentially would have to go to war to achieve that objective. which incidentally is exactly what the Israelis want. They are deliberately pushing a line that they know will be rejected in order to pave the way for Trump having to then escalate matters towards a military conflict.
But Trump seems to have rejected that demand and instead is focusing on how he can limit the Iranian program with restrictions, inspections, and verification and And by that, ensure that Iran can never build a nuclear weapon, which incidentally is exactly what Obama did.
But Trump seems to have rejected that demand and instead is focusing on how he can limit the Iranian program with restrictions, inspections, and verification and And by that, ensure that Iran can never build a nuclear weapon, which incidentally is exactly what Obama did.
But Trump seems to have rejected that demand and instead is focusing on how he can limit the Iranian program with restrictions, inspections, and verification and And by that, ensure that Iran can never build a nuclear weapon, which incidentally is exactly what Obama did.
the Iranians have made significant progress, which is part of the challenge that Trump now has to deal with. But it's also, frankly, out of his own making. Had he not pulled out of the deal, the situation would have been very, very different right now.
the Iranians have made significant progress, which is part of the challenge that Trump now has to deal with. But it's also, frankly, out of his own making. Had he not pulled out of the deal, the situation would have been very, very different right now.