National security adviser Jake Sullivan has indicated that there is a significant opportunity for President-elect Donald Trump to play a crucial role in securing an Iran nuclear deal. Sullivan emphasized the real risk posed by Iran potentially reconsidering its nuclear doctrine following the impact of the Assad regime in Syria, which has had a profound effect on Middle Eastern politics in a short span of time.
Sullivan mentioned that he personally briefed the incoming team on the risk during his recent visit to Israel, where he consulted with Israeli officials. He highlighted that Iran's conventional capability, proxies, and main client state have all been diminished in Syria, leading to concerns within Iran about the need to pursue a nuclear weapon.
Despite Trump's withdrawal from a previous deal in 2018, Sullivan expressed optimism that given the current circumstances in Iran, Trump might be persuaded to engage in negotiations and reach a new nuclear agreement that effectively curbs Iran's nuclear ambitions in the long term.
Sullivan pointed out that Trump's strength on the global stage lies in his willingness to take unexpected actions, citing his meeting with Kim Jong Un as an example of this approach.
