Key facts
- Trump pursuing new nuclear deal with Iran
- Success depends on Tehran's cooperation, limiting US control
- Iran has expanded uranium enrichment since US quit 2015 JCPOA
- A deal could ease oil sanctions with implications for Indian energy imports
The Guardian reports that Donald Trump's pursuit of a nuclear agreement with Iran carries a significant strategic risk: the ultimate success or failure of any deal — and by extension a defining piece of his foreign policy legacy — will depend heavily on decisions made in Tehran rather than Washington.
Trump has presented himself as a dealmaker capable of resolving long-standing international standoffs, but Iran's negotiating position is strengthened by its expanded uranium enrichment capabilities developed since the US withdrew from the 2015 JCPOA agreement during Trump's first term. Regional dynamics, including Iran's alliances with groups across the Middle East, add further complexity.
For India, the stakes are considerable. India was one of the largest importers of Iranian oil before US sanctions curtailed those purchases, and any easing of sanctions tied to a new deal could open up cheaper energy supplies. Global oil market stability is also closely watched by New Delhi, given India's heavy dependence on imported crude.