News | Feb. 1, 2014

Leadership Divided? The Domestic Politics of Iran's Nuclear Debate

By Nima Gerami Policy Focus 134

The implementation of the Joint Plan of Action (JPA) between Iran and the P5+1 has raised hopes that the agreement will mark a first step toward a long-term, comprehensive solution to international concerns about Iran's nuclear program. Although Ayatollah Khamenei has publicly endorsed the efforts of President Hassan Rouhani's nuclear negotiating team since the JPA was first signed in Geneva, internal criticism of the deal has persisted, particularly within Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Majlis. How has Tehran's elite debate on the nuclear issue changed over the years? Will Iran's political leadership be able to sustain internal consensus toward a credible, comprehensive solution?

In this Policy Focus, Iran expert Nima Gerami examines the evolution of the country's domestic nuclear politics before and since Geneva. He concludes that mounting political and economic pressures may have spurred Rouhani's election and recent progress in nuclear negotiations, but the underlying elite divisions and general culture of secrecy surrounding the issue could complicate long-term efforts to get Tehran to abandon its nuclear ambitions. READ MORE >>