Five years—that’s how much time has passed since former President Trump withdrew from the Iran Nuclear Deal.
This regrettable move undermined global security and disrupted the lives of millions of Iranians.
The United States must break free from the cycle of confrontation and hostility with Iran and prioritize sustained diplomacy to address Iran’s nuclear program and de-escalate tensions.
The United States must break free from the cycle of confrontation and hostility with Iran and prioritize sustained diplomacy to address Iran’s nuclear program and de-escalate tensions.
Failures of Maximum Pressure
The Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” strategy with Iran proved to be a maximum failure. They imposed extensive unilateral sanctions to persuade Iran to renegotiate and enter into a “better deal.” This profoundly misguided approach pushed the United States and Iran dangerously close to war and inflicted severe hardships on the Iranian people.
Ultimately, the strategy backfired. Rather than returning to the negotiating table, Iran ramped up its nuclear program, inching closer to possessing the capability to build nuclear bombs while significantly increasing attacks on U.S. troops in the region through proxy forces in Iraq and Syria.
Humanitarian Consequences of Economic Sanctions
The broad-based economic sanctions against Iran have devastated and disproportionately impacted the Iranian people. Extensive sanctions imposed on Iranian banks severely limited humanitarian aid and impeded economic stability.
As the Iranian people continue to bravely protest for their rights and freedoms, U.S. sanctions have contributed to record inflation and food scarcity, hindered access to healthcare, and led to shortages of essential drugs for treating life-threatening diseases such as epilepsy and cancer.
Missed Opportunities and the Way Forward
On the campaign trail, then-candidate Joe Biden pledged to restore the Iran Nuclear Deal, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and advance nuclear arms control. However, once in office, the Biden administration missed a pivotal opportunity to restore the deal during the more moderate Rouhani government’s tenure, which ended in August 2021. Current Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi has refused to enter into a new deal without a guarantee that the United States will not withdraw from it at a future date. This condition cannot be met, as no U.S. president can bind the decisions of their successors.
Despite the challenges posed by the current hardline Iranian government, diplomatic avenues for progress remain open.
Despite the challenges posed by the current hardline Iranian government, diplomatic avenues for progress remain open. Trust-building measures, such as prisoner exchanges, targeted sanctions relief, and other steps toward mutual de-escalation, should be pursued as the Administration seeks a more comprehensive agreement to put Iran’s nuclear program on track.
The Risks of Military Confrontation and Congress’s Role in Preventing It
The risk of miscalculation leading to armed conflict with Iran has reached concerning levels. Just last month, the United States seized Iranian oil tankers as part of a sanctions enforcement operation. This led Iran to seize a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker in retaliation.
At the same time, Israel’s recently reelected Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has repeatedly contemplated a military approach to the Iranian nuclear issue, a move that could have disastrous consequences for the region and the international community.
In addition to constituting a clear violation of international law prohibiting the use of force, military action against Iranian nuclear sites would not halt the development of a nuclear program. It would merely slow it down without deterring the regime’s long-term aspirations. Such unlawful aggression could cause Iran to accelerate its uranium enrichment, further exacerbating an already tense situation.
Whether initiated by the United States or Israel, war with Iran is not the answer. Congress has not authorized military action against Iran, and lawmakers should do everything in their power to prevent the United States from hastily entering or being dragged into a military conflict that could spiral out of control.
A Call for Diplomacy and De-Escalation
It is still possible to salvage diplomacy with Iran.
On this fifth anniversary of the United States disastrous withdrawal from the JCPOA, it is imperative that President Biden follow through on his commitment to uphold human rights, prevent war, and rein in Iran’s nuclear program.
It is still possible to salvage diplomacy with Iran. Success depends on increased political will from Congress and the administration to de-escalate tensions, build trust, and bring all parties back to the negotiating table.
