Paul Pillar: Oman has long and positive track record as mediator between Iran and the West

It is encouraging at any time to hear the Iranian foreign minister make a positive statement about possible negotiations.

Paul Pillar: Membership in BRICS reduces Iran's isolation

Membership in BRICS reduces Iran's isolation, especially as a counterpoint to continued U.S. sanctions.

Paul Pillar: Current international climate not favorable for reviving the JCPOA

The current international climate is not favorable for reviving the negotiations, mainly for reasons related to the wars in Ukraine (where Iran is supporting the Russian effort) and in Gaza.

Paul Pillar: China and US two leaders in AI technology

Artificial intelligence, like most everything else in the digital world, knows no international boundaries.

Paul Pillar: Not expect an attempt to immediately resume reviving JCPOA

Not expect an attempt to immediately resume nuclear negotiations with Iran.

Paul Pillar: The Gaza war may accelerate improvement of Iran-Saudi relations

The war in Gaza may create an incentive for the positive development of the relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Paul Pillar: Iran and US do not want to escalate tensions from their current level

Iran and US do not want to escalate tensions from their current level, and in that sense current understandings are indefinitely sustainable.

Paul Pillar: Iran interested in achieving some kind of nuclear agreement

The French government has always been in favor of using diplomacy to restrict the Iranian nuclear program.

Paul Pillar: Improvement in Iran and Saudi Arabia relations is strategic decision

Good relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia will make it politically easier for the Biden administration to reach any new agreements with Iran.

Paul Pillar: Iran nuclear issue will not be major focus for Biden

Biden realizes that no matter the terms of any new agreement, the Republicans will attack it and try to make it a campaign issue.

Paul Pillar: Regional Dialogue Forum useful in multiple respects

Mechanism for regional dialogue can be useful in multiple respects.

Paul Pillar: Admission of Iran extends SCO to Persian Gulf

The admission of Iran extends the territory of the SCO to the Persian Gulf.

Paul Pillar: There is a chance for informal understanding between Iran and America

There is still a decent chance of some kind of informal understanding between Iran and US about not escalating from the current state of affairs.

Pillar: The less-for-less interim nuclear agreement probably negotiated by Iran and the US in Oman

Paul Pillar: Oman is best mediators between Iran and the US

Paul Pillar: Grossi's trip kept tensions from rising further

Professor Pillar: Most likely that Israel did Isfahan attack by itself

Professor Pillar: Iran's protests and cooperation with Russia have cast a shadow on revival of JCPOA

Professor Pillar: I am not optimistic about revival of JCPOA

Professor Pillar: Oman is a good mediator for revival of JCPOA

Professor Pillar: The issues of Iran and the IAEA still remain

Professor Pillar: China wants to have balanced relations with Iran and Persian Gulf Arabs

Professor Pillar: Regional powers have more possibility of acting in new world order

Professor Pillar: Agreement between Iran and IAEA help reviving JCPOA

Professor Pillar: Post-election is preferred time for reviving JCPOA

Professor Pillar: Reduction of oil production by OPEC+ was to hit the Democrats

Professor Pillar: Israel does not make sense for lead complainer about Iran's nuclear activity

Professor Pillar: Federal Reserve certainly is not finished raising interest rates

Professor Pillar: Pelosi's trip to Taiwan cannot be equated with U.S. policy

Professor Pillar: Chance of revitalizing JCPOA is 50%