Locked in a confrontational stance lasting more than 3 decades, the
United States and Iran have failed repeatedly to transform their hostile
relationship. The ongoing nuclear talks, however, offer better prospects
of not only addressing Iran's nuclear program challenges, but also
developing a mutually beneficial strategic relationship between the
United States and Iran in the long term. Why are these prospects better
today? According to Mr. Roman Muzalevsky, the coming to power of new
presidential administrations in both countries, the additional sanctions
under the Barack Obama administration, game-changing regional trends, as
well as U.S.-Iranian economic and security cooperation imperatives, have
all facilitated an interim nuclear deal, prompting talks of a promising
start in U.S.-Iranian ties that, if cultivated, could turn into a
strategic détente by 2030.