Studying US-Iranian relations in light of the Iranian nuclear agreement

Abstract

Since the victory of the Iranian Revolution in 1979, relations between the Islamic Republic and the United States have undergone numerous shifts, marked by fundamental changes in policy: from a policy of hostility to attempts at diplomatic engagement, and then renewed tensions over the Iranian nuclear program. The significance of the Iranian nuclear agreement lies in its pivotal role in relations between the two countries, offering a window into the evolution of American foreign policy, nuclear diplomacy, and Iranian capabilities. The study concluded that US-Iranian relations remain governed by intertwined and complex factors that extend beyond the Iranian nuclear program to include the struggle for regional influence, strategic interests in the Arabian Gulf region, and Israeli security. The 2015 Iranian nuclear agreement between the P5+1 group of nations and Iran, led by the United States, marked a pivotal moment in the history of these relations. It opened the door to potential understandings. In 2004, the United States proposed the Greater Middle East Initiative, which was largely in the interest of the United States and Israel and included a set of political, cultural, and economic proposals for the region. This initiative was opposed by the Islamic Republic. The setbacks to US projects in the region led the United States to reach an agreement with Iran regarding the nuclear issue. In 2018, US President Donald Trump officially announced the United States' withdrawal from the nuclear agreement with the Islamic Republic. Subsequently, in November, the United States imposed numerous sanctions on Iran. However, the US withdrawal from the agreement and the imposition of these sanctions, which were rejected by most countries in the world, indicate that the US policy of containment towards Iran will continue.