A return to diplomacy. The Iran Nuclear Deal and a Democratic White House

A Joe Biden administration would likely make an early diplomatic push to ease tensions with Iran. Biden has said he favors the United States rejoining the nuclear deal if Iran also returns to full compliance. In that case, Tehran demands reliable sanctions relief and compensation for the economic fall-out of U.S. sanctions. During the U.S. transition, Europe would need to shift quickly from trying to save the nuclear deal to forging a new transatlantic approach to Tehran, helping kickstart U.S.- Iranian negotiations. To immediately de-escalate tensions, Iran and the United States could pursue a phased approach, pushing more complex issues to a later date.