The Middle East Forum reports that the recent reports revealing that the United States offered Iran an interim nuclear agreement show that the White House is still pursuing its JCPOA agenda. The proposal, which Iran turned down, would have frozen nuclear enrichment at the 60 percent level while providing some cash flow and sanctions relief for Iran. Most importantly, this episode shows that the White House has no alternative plans as Iran continues its advance toward nuclear breakout.

Earlier this week, Israeli journalists revealed that the White House has discussed with European and Israeli officials the possibility of an interim agreement with Iran. According to the reports, the Biden administration held indirect negotiations with the Iranians back in January. It offered the Iranians to unfreeze some of its bank accounts and provide some sanctions relief in exchange for freezing current nuclear enrichment at the 60 percent level.

The willingness of the White House to offer such a proposal, despite the continuation of Iranian support for Russia in the war in Ukraine and after the human rights crisis over women's rights in Iran, shows that the United States is deeply worried about the current advancement in the nuclear program. Last January, IAEA reports revealed that inspectors discovered particles of 83 percent enriched uranium at the Fordow facility. An Iranian drone also just killed an American contractor and injured others in Syria, to which the U.S. responded with multiple airstrikes.

This proposal shows the creeping normalcy of Iranian nuclear activity, reaching the point of establishing 60 percent enrichment as a new baseline. This means that Iran gained leverage over the U.S. and pushed the White House to lower its expectations significantly. Although the reports did not signify what sanctions were to be lifted and for how long, it still does not seem like a sound idea to provide Iran with cash and relief merely for a temporary freeze at the 60 percent level. Not to mention this does not change the fact that Iran has accumulated nearly 90 kilos of highly enriched uranium.

If anything, this proposal signals Washington's desperation and lack of willingness to explore alternatives to paying Teheran off and letting its IRGC off the hook. A few weeks ago, U.S. officials asked the UK not to label the IRGC a terrorist organization in order not to affect the odds for a new deal. This is despite the continuous attempts by the IRGC to assassinate former U.S. officials and abduct Iranian activists residing in the West.

Whether the Arab and the Chinese calculations will lead them to press both Israel and Iran to avoid a regional confrontation is still an open-ended question. Still, it's fair to say that if Arabs and Iran can find a workable formula, then Israel is on its own.

Source - The Middle East Forum/Twitter - Image - Reuters