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September 18, 2014

A Win-Win Deal is Within Reach for the U.S. and Iran

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jamal Abdi 
Phone: 202-386-6408
Email: [email protected]

The President of the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), Dr. Trita Parsi, issued the following statement regarding the resumption of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 in New York tomorrow:

“As political directors from the P5+1 and Iran reconvene in New York this week, now is the time for both sides to exhibit the political will and courage to reach the necessary compromises to get an agreement. Whatever the political costs of diplomatic compromise, they pale in comparison to the consequences of diplomatic failure. 

“Reality is that a good deal is better than no deal. A good agreement that achieves the core objectives of each side is within reach. Demands for a perfect deal must not derail a good deal. For the US and P5+1, this means verifiable assurances that Iran will not develop nuclear weapons. For Iran this means economic growth and new opportunities for the Iranian people. For all sides this means preventing a war and pursuing mutual interests. 

“The negotiators from each side should be applauded for all that they have achieved so far. There should be no mistaking that the parties are in a better place today than they were a year ago.  Iran has significantly curbed its nuclear work and opened up its program to greater transparency, demonstrating its seriousness. The P5+1 has provided modest sanctions relief and Iran’s economy has shown improvement as hope for a brighter future grows. But now the tough work must commence to seal the deal once and for all.

“Both sides face significant domestic constraints that cannot be ignored. But it would be a mistake to think that pressure can force one side or the other to sacrifice their domestic politics to get a deal at this point. Rather, only through investment in creative solutions can Tehran and Washington overcome the limitations imposed by their domestic political constraints.

“The negotiators should not forget the dangers of returning to the escalatory route which will only put us back on the path to war. Each side has stepped firmly away from that dangerous path and have invested time and political capital to achieve a diplomatic resolution. Neither side can afford to turn back now and squander the opportunity to finally resolve this standoff peacefully.

“A brighter future for the American and Iranian people is within reach.  History will judge whether the parties make the most of this pivotal opportunity.”

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