Trust and Verification Remain Key Challenges for Iran Deal
Susi Snyder, program director at the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), stated that the core challenge in the Iranian nuclear file lies in balancing Iran's right to uranium enrichment for peaceful purposes with the international community's need for strict, transparent oversight to prevent military proliferation.
Speaking on Al-Qahera News, Snyder emphasized that while Iran possesses the right to develop nuclear technology for civilian use, international bodies like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and various world powers are tasked with ensuring that enrichment activities do not exceed permitted levels.
Snyder noted that while Iran has expressed a willingness to negotiate, the success of any potential agreement depends heavily on establishing credible, long-term guarantees. She pointedly remarked that the United States' history of withdrawing from international agreements has created a trust deficit that complicates current diplomatic efforts, underscoring the need for regional powers to play a supportive role in facilitating stability.
Despite these complexities, there remains a cautious optimism that a pathway exists to ensure Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon, provided there is sufficient political will and international cooperation. Snyder also highlighted that Iran’s long-standing proposal to establish a Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction—a policy dating back to 1970—remains relevant.
This comprehensive approach, which calls for the removal of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons from the region, implicitly requires all nations—including Israel—to address their own arsenals as part of a broader security framework for the region.
