Diplomats fear a rushed framework will lock in weak commitments and spark new disputes, leaving the region more unstable than before.
European allies express concern that an inexperienced American negotiating team is pushing for a rapid and high-profile framework agreement with Iran that could deepen rather than resolve the existing problems between the sides.
According to diplomats who previously conducted talks with Tehran, such a stance raises concerns about possible regional destabilization and the absence of long-term guarantees.
The concern is not that there will be no deal. It is that there will be a bad initial agreement that creates endless problems in the future.
– a diplomat
In response to questions about the negotiating style and aims of a rapid deal, the White House pushed back against the criticism, noting that President Trump has experience in securing favorable deals and would agree only to one that puts America first.
“President Trump has a proven track record of achieving good deals on behalf of the United States and the American people, and he would only agree to one that puts America first”
– Anna Kelly
Diplomats believe that deep mistrust and different negotiating styles raise the risk of reaching a superficial deal that neither side could politically honor.
Europe’s reaction and key questions
It took us 12 years and a massive amount of technical work. Does anyone seriously think this can be done in 21 hours?
– Federica Mogherini
According to one diplomat, Americans believe it is enough to agree to three to four points in a five-page document, and that should be it, but each point in the nuclear dossier opens the door to another dozen disagreements.
«The U.S. demand for a full renunciation of uranium enrichment would be unrealistic without broader security guarantees»
– a diplomat
Diplomats also doubt that a complete renunciation of enrichment can be achieved without broad security guarantees and regional partner involvement, and they believe that the terms of a rapid deal could create a risk of divergences.
«The red lines» of Washington include halting uranium enrichment, dismantling key enrichment facilities, removing highly enriched uranium, and adopting a broader de-escalation program with regional allies.
– a senior U.S. administration official
In conclusion, leaders of diplomatic circles noted that any shift on the Iran issue could have serious consequences for global security, and participants in the negotiating process are tracking developments, warning of possible risks if talks derail.