US Hopes to Resolve Iran Nuclear Standoff in 2013

December 20, 2012

Resolving Iran’s nuclear standoff with the West is one of the major foreign policy challenges facing the second Obama administration. Sanctions imposed by the United States and European Union have hit the Iranian economy hard enough to possibly push Iran toward a diplomatic solution.

There were three high-level meetings between world powers and Iran in 2012. But by year’s end, the two sides were not near resolution on Iran's controversial nuclear program.

The West fears Iran is developing a nuclear weapon capability. Iran says its program has peaceful aims.

Having won a second term in the White House, President Barack Obama has warned that he will not accept a nuclear-armed Iran. But he said he wants to resolve the standoff diplomatically.

“There should be a way in which they can enjoy peaceful nuclear power while still meeting their international obligations and providing clear assurances to the international community that they’re not pursuing a nuclear weapon,” said Obama.

Easing sanctions is one of Iran’s demands. But the U.S. sanctions are law, and except for limited waivers, they will be difficult for Obama to change.

William Reinsch is a former Commerce Department official who now heads an association promoting open trade.

“He is going to have to go back to Congress and there again, he is going to have to deal with the multiplicity of members of Congress, many of whom have different objectives over the purpose of the sanctions and he may find it much more difficult either to modify or repeal than he might think,” said Reinsch.