Shahram Khaldi, a researcher of Middle East history and international relations, said that Russia's new proposal regarding the Islamic Republic's nuclear program should be examined in the context of Moscow's competition and negotiations with Washington. Referring to Russia's similar proposal in 2005, he added that Moscow also does not want the Islamic Republic to gain the ability to build nuclear weapons and may now be looking for a way out of the crisis.
Khaldi also said of the possibility of Iraqi mediation between Tehran and Washington, that Baghdad may be trying to provide the basis for the agreement by striving to disarm proxy groups and ensure the security of trade and oil routes. According to him, these efforts are part of a broader equation between America, Russia and the countries of the region.