Article
The Prospects of a New Nuclear Deal with Iran

By : Kingshuk Chatterjee

Page No: 430-450

Abstract
Few phases in the Islamic Republic of Iran’s relationship with the United States has resembled a roller-coaster more than the six months since Donald Trump returned to the White House for his second term. Moving from talks on Iran’s nuclear programme, through air-strikes against Iranian nuclear installations, to offers for resumption of nuclear talks, including proposals for nuclear collaboration and American investment in the Iranian economy, the pace was dizzying. Having played hard-ball in his first term,Trump had surprised many by offering direct talks with the Iranians soon after assuming office. Tehran responded with alacrity, going through five rounds of talks and was poised on the sixth when Israel carried out military strikes on Iran on June 13. Until then the optimists were hoping the talks would not only result in a deal with Iran but would also bring about a reset of US-Iran relations. The sceptics did not believe there would even be a deal and considered themselves vindicated by the Twelve Day War between Israel and Iran, which culminated in US attacks on Fordow, Arak and Esfahan, and a measured and well-choreographed retaliation by Tehran on al-Udeid air base in Doha. The article looks at the trajectory of US-Iran relations, with closer attention to the Iranian nuclear programme. The article then looks at how joint Israeli and US attacks on Iran may have impacted on the prospective nuclear deal and the prospects of a reset that Trump appeared to have been keen on.
 

Author:
Dr. Kingshuk Chatterjee is a Professor in the Department of History, University of Calcutta. He specialises in the study of political developments in Iran.
 

DOI: http://doi.org/10.32381/NS.2025.08.04.2