GOP win does not rule out nuclear deal: Iran Daily

Tehran, Nov 9, IRNA - 'Iran Daily' on Sunday commenting on the victory of the Republicans in the congressional midterm elections, said that the defeat of Democrats is likely to create a serious challenge for President Barack Obama regarding Iran’s nuclear issue. The Congress, where the pro-Israeli lobby has enormous leverage, is expected to mount a stronger opposition to Obama’s foreign policy especially his approach to the settlement of Iran’s nuclear issue, added the English-language paper. But the Republicans’ control over the two-chambered legislature is not tantamount to a main obstacle to a comprehensive nuclear deal between Iran and P5+1 for the US macro-policies are not designed by Congress, underscored the daily in its Opinion column. Undoubtedly, the Republican Party in the US Congress has been vehemently opposed to President Barack Obama’s approach to Iran over its atomic energy program and spared no effort to influence nuclear negotiations between the Islamic Republic with the P5+1 or slow down the process of settling the dispute. That’s why the victory of the Republicans in the congressional midterm elections could be important to nuclear talks which are nearing the November 24 deadline set for striking a final deal. Moreover, Obama has constitutional power to advance his own agenda on the nuclear issue. It seems that Iran and the P5+1, the US in particular, are determined to clinch a final deal, believes the paper. Obama and his Democratic Party are more in need of reaching a deal because everyone knows that an agreement could be his most significant foreign policy achievement during his term. Therefore, Obama appears to be resolute in making a deal despite Congress opposition. Iran has now become a key element in the US foreign policy and would get the lion’s share if a nuclear accord is signed, it added. Given the status quo in the Middle East, Iran would be the real winner of a nuclear deal in the long run./end