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The Rachman Review

Iran’s nuclear talks could reshape the Middle East

Apr 17, 2025
Sanam Vakil, the Director of the Middle East Program at Chatham House, shares her expertise on Iran's nuclear ambitions and regional geopolitics. She discusses the urgent nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, emphasizing the potential for military action prompted by Israel. The conversation navigates shifting alliances, particularly Iran's diplomatic overtures to Saudi Arabia, and the complexities of U.S. foreign relations involving both nations. Vakil highlights the implications of these talks on Middle Eastern stability and the prospects for future agreements.
23:54
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Episode guests

Sanam Vakil

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The advancement of Iran's nuclear program has heightened conflict risks, compelling urgent U.S.-Iran negotiations to avoid military escalation.
  • Shifts in regional diplomacy reflect a move towards independent security management by Middle Eastern countries, challenging U.S. influence in the area.

Deep dives

Evolving Nuclear Threat

Iran's nuclear program has significantly advanced since the U.S. withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018, prompting concerns about its potential to develop nuclear weapons. The political landscape has shifted, with Iran facing a direct military threat from Israel, which has conducted strikes to undermine Iranian influence and capabilities in the region. Since October 7, 2023, these military actions have intensified, reflecting Israel's position that Iran's weakened state presents a unique opportunity for a strategic strike against its nuclear facilities. This climate of heightened tension begs the question of how close Iran is to achieving nuclear capability, with expert assessment labeling it a threshold state, substantially raising the stakes for potential conflict in the Middle East.

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