Skip to content

Future nuclear diplomacy with Iran

ELN’s current policy work on Iran provides support and ideas for multilateral nuclear diplomacy with Iran, in order to uphold nuclear non-proliferation in the Middle East, and reduce the risks that regional insecurity will result in a regional nuclear arms race. The region is at a tipping point that could pose severe risks to the non-proliferation regime globally. To reduce these risks, ELN brings together experienced practitioners and experts from the ELN’s network alongside seasoned diplomats and regional policymakers, in order to provide nuanced and well-informed analysis, and constructive policy recommendations, for all those engaged in nuclear diplomacy and nonproliferation.

What?

Activities include:

  • Convening and participating in track 2 and track 1.5 dialogues on nuclear diplomacy with Iran and in the region
  • Providing analysis and ideas to governments engaged in nuclear diplomacy
  • A regular newsletter which brings out key highlights from the public debates inside Iran, to provide a deeper and more nuanced understanding of Iranian discussions about the JCPOA, Iranian diplomacy, Iran’s relations with different parts of the world, nuclear policy and conflict risks
  • Collaborating with other experts and publishing analysis to inform diplomacy and support nonproliferation

Why?

In a climate of growing risks to the non-proliferation regime, the Iranian nuclear programme and the possibility of a wider Middle Eastern nuclear arms race present critical risks to international security. Despite some diplomatic fatigue with longrunning efforts to revive the JCPOA, the issue of nuclear diplomacy remains vitally important both for nonproliferation globally and for conflict prevention in the Middle East. The ELN’s work helps to keep it on the policy agenda.

How?

The project situates the Iranian nuclear programme within the broader global context of nuclear non-proliferation laws and diplomacy, while also assessing the specific regional political conditions that affect nuclear diplomacy.

It engages experts from Iran, the P5+1 countries and other European and Middle Eastern countries for a holistic view of the different perspectives and interests involved.

The project keeps abreast of debates among Iranian scholars, officials and the media on issues relevant to nuclear diplomacy through regular analysis of Persian-language sources

Project publications

Commentary

A fragile opening: Iran, the US, and the high-stakes return to diplomacy

Talks between Tehran and Washington are set to take place on Saturday in Oman. Hamidreza Azizi writes that much of Iran’s political spectrum is cautiously optimistic about negotiations, reflecting a recognition of Iran’s military and economic constraints, and a desire to avoid war while securing relief from crippling sanctions. This pragmatic approach may signal a rare opportunity to pursue a deal that addresses concerns over Iran’s nuclear program while averting another regional conflict, but the potential for miscalculation remains high.

11 April 2025 | Dr Hamidreza Azizi
IranMultilateral Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation
Report

Meeting report: Iran, Europe and the US – new approaches to nuclear diplomacy

In January 2025, the ELN with support from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF), convened a roundtable to discuss ways forward for a resumption of Iran-US nuclear negotiations. European, American, Asian, and Middle East experts discussed the role of Gulf actors in developing a new deal, Iran’s shift in priorities under President Pezeshkian, and the implications of the changes in the regional architecture as a result of the war in Gaza.

21 March 2025 | Roxane Farmanfarmaian
IranMultilateral Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation
Commentary

The Women Leaders podcast: As missiles fly

One year since Hamas’ invasion of southern Israel, Israel’s consequent offensive in Gaza, and Hezbollah’s initial rocket campaign in northern Israel, it appears as if the violence in the Middle East is only getting worse. In this unique episode, Women Leaders is building a bridge: Fania Oz-Salzberger, Professor of History at Haifa University and renowned public intellectual, and Roula from Beirut — for security reasons, we cannot release her real name — join ELN Senior Associate Fellow Ilana Bet-El for an in-depth discussion of Israeli and Lebanese politics, the involvement of women in decision-making, and the hope of one day seeing a new Middle East.

4 October 2024 | Ilana Bet-El and Florence Ferrando
Iran
Commentary

A view from Israel: Pezeshkian’s Israel stance could undermine his domestic priorities and nuclear diplomacy

The election of Masoud Pezeshkian as Iran’s new president in July was met with little enthusiasm in Israel. Meir Javedanfar writes that, in a post-7 October world, the Iranian president’s policy on Israel could impact his desire for improved relations with the West and, in turn, undermine his domestic priorities and a potential nuclear deal.

27 September 2024 | Meir Javedanfar
IranMultilateral Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation
Commentary

Why Iran’s missile strikes pose a real problem for Pakistan

Recent conventional skirmishes between Iran and Pakistan highlight the fact that having nuclear weapons does not guarantee that the ‘have nots’ will refrain from pursuing military action against a nuclear-armed state and all the associated escalatory risks that entails. ELN Senior Policy Fellow Dr Rishi Paul writes that in light of Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the fact that Pakistan is not a signatory to the NPT, it is incumbent upon Islamabad to build the appropriate bilateral mechanisms to prevent any potential future escalations that could come about should Iran join the nuclear ‘club’.

25 July 2024 | Rishi Paul
Multilateral Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-ProliferationNPT Project
Full list of Iran publications
Who's involved?

Funders