For Immediate Release: September 23, 2013
Media Contact: Kelsey Davenport, Nonproliferation Analyst, 202-463-8270, ext. 102.
(Washington, D.C.)-The election of Hassan Rouhani as president of Iran provides a new and important opening for the United States and its P5+1 partners to secure an agreement that limits its nuclear capabilities in exchange for easing tough international sanctions.
In the six weeks since he has taken office, Rouhani has made positive statements about the need to negotiate a "win-win" agreement and has indicated that Iran is willing to be more transparent regarding its nuclear activities. It is in the interest of all sides to revise earlier diplomatic proposals and to seize this opportunity to a negotiate an agreement that guards against a nuclear-armed Iran.
As world leaders, including President Obama and President Rouhani, gather at the United Nations for the opening of the 68th session of the General Assembly, it is likely that an announcement will be made about the resumption of talks between the P5+1 and Iran over its nuclear program.
ACA experts are available to comment on these developments:
- Daryl G. Kimball, executive director, (202-463-8270 x107);
- Greg Thielmann, senior fellow, (202-463-8270 x 103); and
- Kelsey Davenport, nonproliferation analyst, (202-463-8270 x 102).
Resources on Iran's nuclear program are available from the Arms Control Association, including:
- "Time to Solve the Iranian Nuclear Puzzle,"by Daryl G. Kimball in the September 2013 issue of Arms Control Today.
- "Iran's Nuclear and Missile Programs as P5+1 Talks Resume,"an Arms Control Association Iran Nuclear Brief, by Greg Thielmann and Kelsey Davenport, September 20, 2013.
- History of Official Proposals on the Iranian Nuclear Issue, ACA Fact Sheet, August 2013.
- Timeline of Nuclear Diplomacy with Iran, ACA Fact Sheet, August 2013.
- For a more in-depth look at Iran's nuclear program, the impact of sanctions, and diplomatic options for negotiating with Iran, the Arms Control Association recently released an updated version of "Solving the Iranian Nuclear Puzzle: An Arms Control Association Briefing Book," September 2013.
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The Arms Control Association (ACA) is an independent membership organization dedicated to promoting public understanding and effective policies to address the threats posed by the world's most dangerous weapons: nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, as well as certain types of conventional weapons that pose a threat to noncombatants. ACA publishes the monthly journal Arms Control Today.