Give Negotiations a Chance | John Bradshaw & Amb. Nancy Soderberg

Give Negotiations a Chance

Why calling for increased sanctions against Iran while nuclear talks are ongoing is a bad idea.

By Amb. Nancy Soderberg and John Bradshaw
February 26, 2015 | U.S. News and World Report

As negotiators jockey in Geneva to reach a framework agreement to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons by the deadline, which comes at the end of March, hardliners in both Washington and Iran threaten to scuttle the deal. Calls for an arbitrary increase in tough sanctions from Washington and charges of bad faith from Iran indicate many want to squash almost any deal. It is important to recognize how these negotiations are in our deep national interests.

Consider the alternative. If these negotiations fail and Iran moves further toward a nuclear weapons capability, Israel will likely strike out at Iran’s nuclear facilities. While such action may delay the program, the national fervor it would unleash would make a nuclear program the goal of most Iranians. The United States would inevitably be drawn into the crisis, further complicating our efforts to stem the crises in Iraq and Syria. The hardliners in Tehran would be strengthened, pushing more moderate and democratic forces further into the shadows. The goal of regime change many hope for would be less, not more likely.

Ambassador Nancy Soderberg represented the U.S. at the UN and served as Deputy National Security Advisor, and is on the NSN Advisory Board.

John Bradshaw is the Executive Director of the National Security Network.

 

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Photo Credit: Secretary Kerry, Energy Secretary Moniz Sit With Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif and Vice President of Iran for Atomic Energy Salehi Before Meeting in Switzerland. [State Department, 2/22/15]