American and Iranian negotiators are gathering in Vienna this week for what's expected to be a final push toward a deal over Iran's nuclear program.
The stakes are huge for both countries, and the deal could reshape the Middle East and pave the way for a new relationship between two bitter rivals.
But if you look at the headlines this morning, it'll give you an idea of just how tenuous a deal may be:
-- "Doubts about a nuclear deal with Iran as talks near deadline" (Washington Post)
-- "Iran Nuclear Pact Faces an Array of Opposing Forces" (The New York Times)
The crux of the negotiations are pretty simple: The West — represented by the so-called P5+1 — wants to extend Iran's "breakout time," or the time it would take the country to enrich enough Uranium to make a nuclear weapon. Iran wants the United States and its allies to lift its economic sanctions. The country also wants to continue enriching uranium for a non-military program.
Any deal, however, is about much more than that. The New York Times explains:
If you remember, this round of negotiations kicked off about a year ago, after Iran agreed to pause parts of its nuclear activities while the two sides sought a long-lasting accord. At the time, even that deal was hailed as historic, because the United States and Iran have had no formal ties since 1979.
So whatever happens this week will be a big deal.
The Washington Post reports that President Obama tamped down expectations for a greater accord, saying, "We may not be able to get there."
The Post adds:
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