Iran Nuclear Deal: The Public Opinion Hurdles Ahead

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April 3, 2015

The marathon negotiations in Lausanne between Iran and six world powers have finally produced the framework for a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPA) regarding Iran’s Nuclear Program. President Obama called the deal “historic.” Many in Iran took to the streets to celebrate. But this, remember, is just a preliminary understanding. Now Iran and the so-called P5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) have until June 30 to hammer out and agree on the details. Considering the depth of distrust between Iran and the United States - despite reports of personal rapport between Secretary of state John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif - this will be tough going. Indeed, the resolution of all the remaining issues is dependent on both parties either trusting that the other party will remain loyal to the agreement or simply taking the risk that they will. But can they and will they?