Has Trump Moved On From Dismantling Iran's Nuclear Program?

High-stakes nuclear talks between the United States and Iran have already entered the technical phase after just two rounds of negotiations mediated by Oman. Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), sees the current trajectory not as a concession but as strategic pressure. “A Trump doctrine on Iran takes shape where it gives Iran a choice: Either you dismantle your nuclear program or the US and/or Israel will dismantle it for you,” he said. . . . Brodsky offered a sharper view, calling the negotiations “a shield” that Tehran uses to protect its nuclear work from further scrutiny or action. “Iran only loses should the negotiations collapse,” he said. “The United States, however, does not need the talks as much as Iran does.” . . . Brodsky, however, is doubtful that any deal short of full dismantlement can truly prevent Iran from using its nuclear program as leverage. He views even low-level enrichment—such as the 3.67 percent limit under the JCPOA—as a threat. “Its right to enrich uranium to 3.67 percent under the JCPOA was part of [an] extortion racket,” he said, referring to Iran teasing nuclear weapons acquisition. “The continuation of this negotiation process leads some observers to believe the United States has conceded a right to enrich uranium to Iran,” Brodsky said. “I believe the Trump administration is still defining the contours of what an acceptable deal would look like.”