Despite the recent rapprochement between the United States and Iran, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) anticipates that discussions regarding Iran’s nuclear program will remain lengthy. Speaking on RTL’s “Nachtjournal Spezial,” the CDU politician stated that while the agreement represents a “step in the right direction,” he qualified his remarks, stressing that significantly more talking will be needed concerning the core issue: the exclusion of Iran from nuclear armament.
Wadephul views it as progress that Washington and Tehran are expected to communicate directly in the future. He noted that this clearly means the US and Iran will speak directly, rather than through intermediaries like Pakistan or Qatar, a change that he sees as a positive initial development toward resolving the conflict.
The Foreign Minister believes the announced agreement will be signed this Friday, confirming that a signature will take place. However, he admitted that the exact terms remain unclear, stating, “The question is, what is in it? We do not know that exactly yet.”
Nevertheless, Wadephul expressed cautious optimism regarding the prospects for a political resolution. He reflected that if neither side believed a successful outcome was possible, they would not have taken this first step. Adding context to the negotiations, he mentioned that Iran has recognized that the combined pressures of military and economic coercion could lead to an existential crisis for the regime, which is why its leadership has chosen the path of negotiation.
