Six major world powers and Iran reached a framework deal in April 2015 to restrict Iran’s nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief. The details of the agreement are to be negotiated by the end of June 2015. The Obama administration has argued that the nuclear deal has the potential to limit Iran obtaining nuclear weapons and dramatically reducing the prospect of a military confrontation. The Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyanhu and supported by many members of the US Congress have greeted the deal with caution and criticism, and have argued that the framework reached represents a bad deal, will not result in the destruction of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, and in the long-term will destabilize the region. Who is right? This session will explore the pros and cons of the Iranian deal and the risks to Israel and to the middle-east generally.
