Dominating the headlines in recent weeks, the highly anticipated diplomatic discussions surrounding nuclear capabilities in Iran ponder both the specifics of the agreements and the implications they’ll have on Iran and other nations.
The intense diplomatic talks have produced compromises between Iran and Western nations, sparking both hope and caution as both sides look to the future. The results remain temporary and are only meant to last for about six months until a “more conclusive deal is negotiated,” according to the BBC.
Iran has agreed to stop the production of uranium enrichment, a process that renders current enrichment levels at almost 20 percent. The element itself, U-235, is considered “weapon-grade” at about 90 percent.
Iran has also agreed to dilute the uranium it has already begun enriching, so it cannot be used for anything similar to a nuclear weapon, essentially reversing the process.
The country will also stop building more facilities capable of uranium enrichment, stop powering water reactors both financially and electrically, and will authorize daily and monthly check-ups from the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure each section of the agreement is followed properly.
In return, the U.S. and other Western nations will lighten sanctions placed on Iran; direct relief efforts to Iran; stop reducing of oil purchases from Iran; lift sanctions on imports to and exports from Iran, and pave the way for the EU and the U.N. to monitor the country without choking it.
For Niloofar Baghai, member of the University of Maryland’s Iranian Student Foundation, the sky is looking a bit bluer in the wake of the negotiations.
“I think this deal could facilitate a better relationship between Western nations and Iran,” said Baghai, a sophomore minoring in Persian studies. “…The global implications [of agreement violations] include tensions rising again between Iran and the other Western nations, with detrimental effects on the Iranian economy.”
Most Iranians express relief and optimism in the progress made towards establishing friendly relations and potential allies. CNN reports that Iranian businesses have begun preparing for the restrictions to lift and are awaiting the resulting economic stimulus.
ISF member Keyan Javaderi, a sophomore studying physiology and neurobiology, points to the effects such tensions would exert on members of the Iranian diaspora.
“There are currently many Iranians living all around the world that have families still in Iran,” she said. “If they violate the agreements, it could make it much harder for people to see their families.”
Both parties seem to hope that animosity and hostility between the U.S. and Iran will fade away as the bans are lifted, creating the opportunity for mutual trust between nations to combat ISIS as a shared enemy, CNN reports. But Iran has yet to entirely abandon its anti-American and anti-Israeli sentiments.
While Washington seems relatively optimistic about the current agreements regarding a nuclear deal in Iran, the government wants to remain realistic about the situation, especially in its preliminary stages.
In an April 18 press conference, President Barack Obama said the administration’s main concern is to ensure that “if Iran doesn’t abide by its agreement, that we don’t have to jump through … hoops in order to reinstate sanctions.”
Mark Neumann, president of Baltimore-based Jewish philanthropy group The Associated and member of American Israel Political Action Committee, remains neutral on the situation.
While Neumann said the exchange could go well, he insisted the U.S. “is not clear enough on what they want,” leaving too many ambiguities and possibilities for the deal to fail.
Erica Baum, a sophomore studying government and politics and linguistics, says she doesn’t believe the temporary agreements put in place will amount to anything significant in the future.
“Fundamentally the two countries couldn’t have more different ideals,” Baum said. “Yes, Iran wants sanctions lifted and will probably say a lot to get them lifted.”
Baum also lacks confidence Obama could be the one to help improve relations between the nations, nuclear or not.
“They’ve violated deals before and Obama doesn’t seem bothered by that and still wants to negotiate. I think it may come down to politics.”
Photo from U.S. State Department
