Iran-US nuclear deal revival efforts will face hurdles

Significance

US President-elect Joe Biden supports the agreement, from which his predecessor Donald Trump withdrew, and has named as his national security adviser Jake Sullivan, who under former President Barack Obama began the secret outreach that fostered the JCPOA.

Impacts

• Biden will immediately lower the temperature by facilitating trade in medical supplies to fight COVID-19.
• An end to the ‘Muslim ban’ will likely mean Iranian citizens can again travel to the United States, pandemic permitting.
• Iran may halt or slow steps that violate JCPOA limits, such as the installation of advanced centrifuges.