Iran on the cusp of normalised relations with the West

A nuclear deal may have been signed by Iran and Western powers but the regional powerplay is far from resolved, writes Volker Perthes

AFTER 12 years of tedious negotiations, Iran and the “P5+1” countries (China, France, Russia, the US, and the UK, plus Germany) have reached a comprehensive agreement that will limit Iran’s development of its nuclear capabilities to non-military objectives.

In exchange for its co-operation, Iran will eventually be relieved of the punishing sanctions that the UN, the EU, and the US have imposed upon it for years. This is a huge diplomatic success.