Wendy Sherman says Trump Seeks Better Negotiations with Iran

In an interview with the One Decision Podcast, Wendy Sherman reflected on the 2015 nuclear agreement, praising the collaborative efforts of the US, EU, Russia, and China during the Obama administration. She noted that when Donald Trump was elected in 2016, he withdrew the US from the agreement, worsening the situation.

Sherman pointed out that Iran is now capable of enriching uranium to 60% purity and could potentially reach 90%, calling the current situation dire. She also mentioned that the European troika — Britain, Germany, and France — recently met with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi to discuss restarting negotiations.

Regarding Trump’s plans, Sherman explained that such agreements are highly complex and time-consuming. She emphasized the growing pressure to expand future negotiations beyond Iran’s nuclear program to include its regional activities in Syria, Yemen, Gaza, Lebanon, and among its allied forces. Sherman cautioned that negotiating on all these fronts would be far more intricate, as compromises in one area could lead to greater demands in others.

Iran has repeatedly blamed the 2018 US withdrawal from the nuclear deal and the re-imposition of sanctions for undermining the agreement. The Islamic Republic maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful and that its regional activities are aimed at ensuring security in the West Asia region.