Analysts: Iran Deal Offers Chance to Rehabilitate Foreign Relations 2015-04-11

LONDON- The tentative framework on Iran's nuclear program agreed to this month is in renewed doubt over when Western sanctions should be lifted. But many analysts say the progress made offers an opportunity for both Tehran and the West to tackle other burning issues in the region, such as the conflicts in Syria and Yemen.

To a round of applause and a rendition of the national anthem, President Hassan Rouhani unveiled a nuclear fuel assembly in parliament Thursday to mark Iran's "Nuclear Technology Day".

Iran's Supreme Leader said this week there was no guarantee a final deal on the country's nuclear program would be reached by the June deadline. But the Ayatollah is striking a delicate balance, says Peter Jenkins, former UK ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"There's a contrast between what's for public consumption and what he's saying privately to Rouhani," he said.

Towards a deeper involvement?

The tentative framework agreed to in Switzerland earlier this month on Iran's nuclear program provides a springboard for deeper engagement, says Mehrdad Khonsari, a former Iranian diplomat and head of the Organization for Economic Reconstruction and National Reconciliation in Iran.

"Whatever has been agreed to in Lausanne can provide a framework and a catalyst for Iran to try to address these issues, to move in the direction of confidence-building, in order to try to enhance its own position," he said.

Some analysts say such optimism over Iran's intentions is dangerously misplaced - among them Davis Lewin of policy group The Henry Jackson Society.

"It is a vicious regime that is very good at tactically exploiting a situation, creating those kinds of alliances, relationships and dynamics in the region that have allowed it to expand its nefarious influence significantly. And we must not be fooled into thinking that peace is about to break out," he said.