Iran nuclear deal has broad implications for international security, but more work left to do

Contact: Andrew Good at (213) 740-8606 or gooda@usc.edu.

“Deal or no deal, the Iran nuclear issue remains a marathon, not a sprint. The past two years of diplomacy have had a positive impact for international security. The interim confidence-building measures that Iran has undertaken since January 2014 place it further away from having a nuclear weapon than it was when the negotiations began. And even at that time, it was likely several years away from having a real nuclear weapon.

“The chatter about Iran being able to ‘cross the nuclear threshold’ within the time span of a few months is based on defining the ‘nuclear threshold’ as a significant quantity of fissile material, which is not at all equivalent to having actual nuclear weapons.”

Jacques Hymans, associate professor of international relations at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences, is an expert in nuclear proliferation and diplomacy. He can discuss what a nuclear deal means for Iran and countries in the region and how the long-term outreach to Iran compares to other examples of nuclear diplomacy, such as with North Korea.

Hymans research into the difficulty states have in developing nuclear programs was compiled in his award-winning book, “Achieving Nuclear Ambitions: Scientists, Politicians and Proliferation.” 

Hymans is currently in Japan, but is available via email.

Contact: hymans@usc.edu.

“This historic deal reached with Iran represents an important step in thwarting and curtailing its progress toward nuclear enrichment and a weaponized capability. That being said, beyond this deal, broader efforts to contain Iran’s destabilizing influence and threats to regional allies, such as Israel and Saudi Arabia, must be made by the U.S. and its allies in the coming weeks and months following the initial implementation of this deal.”

Josh Lockman, lecturer on international law and U.S. foreign policy at the USC Gould School of Law, is an expert on international crises in the Middle East. He can discuss what a nuclear deal means for security in the region, as well as what next steps still need to be taken.

Contact: (310) 995-1819 or josh.lockman@gmail.com.