Iran Moving to Capitalize on Diplomatic Gains From Nuclear Accord

Iran appears to be trying to leverage the momentum gained from the conclusion of the nuclear deal, and improved relations with the West, in order to achieve some kind of deal that safeguards its interests in Syria and Lebanon.

According to recent reports, behind-the- scenes talks aimed at finding a compromise solution to stop the fighting in Syria are ongoing. Despite these efforts, however, an agreement to resolve the conflict – and not just pause it – are unlikely to be immediately forthcoming.

Compromise is not a common solution in the Middle East – either victory or defeat are.

The Syrian Sunni-dominated opposition and its supporters in the Gulf see themselves as the rightful rulers of Syria.

Sunnis comprise a majority of the Syrian population. The Gulf states are also loath to see Iran win the proxy war in Syria and keep President Bashar Assad in power.

The Obama administration sees the Iran deal as opening up new opportunities with Iran on Syria, potentially involving Iran in brokering a solution to the Syrian conflict. Such talk, however, is a non-starter for Sunnis.

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Tony Badran, research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a columnist for the Beirut-based website NOW Lebanon, told The Jerusalem Post that all the media speculation about a possible deal is just noise.

“The Obama administration and the Iranians want to capitalize on the deal, but the Saudis are not pulling back on getting rid of Bashar,” Badran asserted.

Following the nuclear agreement, “Iran wants to cement the perception that it is now an inevitable, principal interlocutor on regional affairs,” he said adding, “In this, it is backed by the Obama administration.”

“But beyond this, there is actually nothing there in terms of substance or a change in the attitude of any of the players, which is why this is noise,” Badran explained. “We are in garbage time as the Saudis wait out Obama,” he said.

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