Is "Freeze for Freeze” A Viable Pathway to Re-engage with Iran?

As the Biden administration explores re-engaging with Iran over its nuclear program, some propose beginning with an initial “freeze for freeze” arrangement whereby Iran would freeze aspects of its nuclear activities in exchange for increased access to money.

Should the United States seek a limited, temporary, and preliminary agreement with Iran over its nuclear activities as a first step of its re-engagement? If so, what terms should it seek, and in what timeframe? If not, what alternative strategies should the United States pursue? How is Iran likely to respond to the Biden team’s approach, and how quickly will the government be willing to move? What steps is Iran likely to take to inject urgency into negotiations?

Eric Brewer, Hannah Kaviani, and Henry Rome will join us to discuss these questions. Throughout the event, participants are encouraged to submit questions to the guests and host, Jon B. Alterman, via the provided link.

Eric Brewer is the deputy director and senior fellow with the Project on Nuclear Issues at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). From 2017-2018, Mr. Brewer served as director for counterproliferation at the National Security Council (NSC).

Hannah Kaviani is a journalist with Radio Farda, the Iran service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, who has followed Iran as a journalist since 2008. She closely followed the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 between 2013 and 2015 and has continued to report on U.S.-Iranian relations.

Henry Rome is a senior analyst with the Eurasia Group focusing on Iran, Israel, and global macro issues. Prior to the Eurasia Group, he worked on Iran at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.

This event is made possible through general support to CSIS.