Saving Transatlantic Cooperation and the Iran Nuclear Deal

Transatlantic differences over the future of the Iran nuclear deal — or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) of July 2015 — are damaging a nuclear accord that all parties, except the United States, see as delivering on its purpose. They also increase the risk of Washington and European capitals working at cross-purposes vis-a-vis Iran and broader regional policies. To avoid such a scenario, the E3 (France, Germany, United Kingdom)/European Union (EU) and the United States need to set up new channels of communication to avoid a transatlantic rift, to attempt — if at all possible — to preserve the Iran deal, and to secure its benefits for regional and global security.