The Road to an Iranian Nuclear Agreement: Between Diplomacy and Escalation

The Iranian proposal includes several key elements, namely agreeing to strict international oversight of nuclear activities, imposing restrictions on uranium enrichment levels, and emphasizing the "lasting" nature of the desired agreement.
In return, Tehran demands the complete lifting of sanctions, reflecting an attempt to emerge from the economic isolation it suffers due to American and European sanctions.
Araqchi warned that "failing to seize this opportunity could have devastating consequences for the region and beyond," referring to the possibility of escalation that may not be limited to the nuclear field. This warning comes at a time when the European troika (France, Germany, and Britain) informed the Security Council of activating the "snapback" mechanism that could reinstate international sanctions if Tehran does not respond to specific demands.
The European demands include allowing International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to return to three nuclear facilities, providing accurate information about approximately 400 kg of uranium enriched to 60%, engaging in direct negotiations with Washington, and addressing the complexities of the current situation.
The current stance shows several complications, the most important of which is Tehran's insistence on negotiating on "new foundations" that differ from the 2015 agreement and the continued communication through intermediaries in the absence of direct negotiations, along with Iranian accusations against Europe of carrying out "American orders".
If the diplomatic path fails, the expected scenarios include mutual escalation in the region and an Iranian-Russian-Chinese rapprochement in the face of Western pressures, with impacts on global energy markets.
The diplomatic option seems to be the best for everyone, but it requires time and flexibility from all parties. Success in this path could open a new chapter in international relations, while failure could push the region into a new phase of instability.