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Can Trump and Iran Sign a Verified Nuclear Peace Agreement?

“When Trump first put in “maximum pressure” back in 2018…the runway from maximum pressure to an actual conflict was much much longer than it is today because of the regional dynamics,” since today, as Parsi noted, “you already have a region that is essentially on the brink of explosion.” Those remarks were given by Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, in an X/Twitter Space panel exploring the likelihood that Trump and Iran genuinely can achieve a “Verified Nuclear Peace Agreement.”  The discussion, held on February 10, came shortly after both U.S. and Iranian leaders made headlines with important remarks on diplomacy. On February 4, 2025, Trump signed a memorandum reimposing his “maximum pressure” policies, but did so in a notably reluctant manner, stating that “hopefully it will be a document which won’t be very important and will hardly have to be used.” Following this, Trump stated on his Truth Social account that “I would much prefer a Verified Nuclear Peace Agreement, which will let Iran peacefully grow and prosper. We should start working on it immediately…”. However, on February 7, 2025, Supreme Leader Khamenei responded indirectly to Trump’s rhetoric and pressure, downplaying the possibility

Memo: Trump Moves on Diplomacy

Trump has made major, clear signals of his desire for a new nuclear deal with Iran, building on prior statements supportive of diplomacy. These seem to set the stage for new negotiations, despite his apparently reluctant signature of a memorandum reinstituting “maximum pressure” sanctions against Iran. For those serious about resolving tensions with Iran through diplomacy, putting American interests first and preventing further war in the Middle East, what Trump said about Iran yesterday was very positive.  Trump was “torn” about signing his maximum pressure memorandum, and said he hopes it won’t be implemented very much Trump’s maximum pressure memorandum directs the Treasury Department, State Department and Attorney General to take an aggressive posture toward Iran, amplifying sanctions pressure. However, the vast majority of these steps have been the modus operandi of these institutions toward Iran since President Trump first exited the nuclear deal. Somewhat new elements include directions to cancel waivers that provide any benefit to Iran, efforts to drive Iran’s oil exports to zero and calls for the snapback of all international restrictions on Iran, seeming to refer to United Nations resolutions.  Yet, in signing the memorandum, Trump signaled ambivalence about signing and said, “hopefully it will be

Netanyahu Expected to Stoke Iran Tensions Amid Trump White House Visit

NIAC President Jamal Abdi released the following statement regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House today, which comes as the administration is reportedly preparing to institute some form of “maximum pressure” sanctions pressure on Iran.

NIAC Urges Congressman Jeffries to Clarify War-Mongering Remarks on Iran

Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) sounded more like Dick Cheney than the Democratic Leader when he delivered remarks on Iran this weekend. He stated that Iran was weak and the U.S. “can’t take its foot off the gas until Iran is brought to its knees” using “all available mechanisms.” This hawkish rhetoric comes as Donald Trump has positioned himself as an anti-war president and says he wants to resolve the nuclear issue with Iran diplomatically. It begs the question as to whether the Democrats are actively seeking to become the party of war and deliver more votes from the millions of anti-war Americans to Trump and the Republican Party. America faces a major choice on foreign policy right now – utilize diplomacy with Iran and others in the region to prevent another war and de-escalate tensions, or listen to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and neoconservative hawks who are pressing for war with Iran. The American people are tired of their leaders investing more in endless wars abroad and courting new ones while ignoring problems at home. Time will tell if Trump has indeed shifted Republicans away from pro-war policies to put the party in greater alignment with the public or

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