Iran faces ‘no-win situation’ as UN sanctions, threat of Israeli strikes loom
Any reactivation of UN sanctions could prompt Iran to scrap inspections of its nuclear facilities and monitoring of its uranium stockpile
With an equally unpalatable option of mediation by distrustful Gulf Arab neighbours that it has intimidated for decades, Tehran is playing for time in the hope that Washington can be persuaded to resume bilateral negotiations that were scuttled by US and Israeli air strikes against Iranian facilities in June, according to analysts.
“Iran really has nowhere else to turn,” said Barbara Slavin, distinguished Middle East fellow of the Stimson Centre, a Washington think tank.
But Tehran has also suggested it would seek an alternative agreement for cooperation with the UN atomic agency, signalling its intent to remain compliant with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and refrain from any attempt to manufacture nuclear warheads.
The 2015 nuclear deal saw Iran cease uranium enrichment activity except for low-grade material used in nuclear power plants, in return for relief from UN sanctions.