Thursday, 10 April 2025

Iran Talks Spark Bipartisan Concerns on Capitol Hill

US President Donald Trump’s decision to engage in high stakes talks with Iran this weekend has raised concerns across party lines on Capitol Hill. The talks, reportedly set to begin in Oman, are framed as direct by Trump, but Iran claims they’ll be indirect. Uncertainty surrounds Trump’s objectives—whether he seeks full nuclear dismantlement or limitations similar to the Obama-era JCPOA, which he withdrew from in 2018.

Rep. August Pfluger insists that anything short of a complete nuclear disbandment is unacceptable. Lawmakers also question the potential sidelining of Israel, a key US ally, and Prime Minister Netanyahu has called for the “Libya model” of total dismantlement. Tensions rise as Netanyahu considers action against Iran’s facilities, though such a move would likely need US backing.

Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff has taken over the Iran file and advocates for a robust verification program to ensure Iran’s compliance. However, skepticism remains high among lawmakers. Sen. Tommy Tuberville supports a verifiable deal but doubts its feasibility, while Sen. Roger Wicker warns against trusting Iran.

Iran's nuclear capability has advanced significantly since the JCPOA. Experts now say Iran could fuel a bomb within weeks. However, US intelligence maintains Iran has not yet chosen to weaponize its nuclear material.

Despite its nuclear progress, Iran has lost leverage. Its regional influence has waned due to conflicts with Israel and economic decline under US sanctions. The Iranian currency has plummeted, inflation is high, and the government struggles to provide basic services.

Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi views the upcoming talks as a genuine diplomatic opening, citing recent communication with the US. He also appealed to Trump’s business instincts, suggesting a potential “trillion-dollar” opportunity through cooperation.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that Iran must never obtain nuclear weapons or threaten regional stability. Yet Iran signals it may accept JCPOA-like terms for sanctions relief, though it rejects broader US demands. As both sides lower expectations, Iran insists military threats must be removed for diplomacy to succeed.

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