Understanding Iran's Nuclear Threat and Its Impact on U.S. Foreign Policy

The current state of Iran’s nuclear program can be traced back, in part, to the policies and actions taken during the Obama and Biden administrations. Under President Obama, the United States pursued the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, aiming to limit Iran's nuclear capabilities in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. While the deal temporarily restrained uranium enrichment and provided a framework for monitoring Iran’s activities, critics argue that it failed to address other significant regional threats posed by Iran. The Trump administration's withdrawal from the JCPOA and subsequent "maximum pressure" campaign further altered the dynamics, pushing Iran to resume and expand its nuclear activities.

Now under President Biden, efforts to revisit the negotiating table have faced significant challenges, with growing skepticism about Iran's intentions and diminishing global unity on how to proceed. The question remains—what’s next? With rising tensions, evolving alliances in the Middle East, and the advancing technology of Iran's nuclear program, U.S. foreign policy must craft a nuanced approach, balancing deterrence and diplomacy to prevent further escalation. The decisions made in the coming years will shape not only the fate of the JCPOA but the broader regional and global security landscape.