OTHER VOICES

“It's still much more likely than a Middle East peace deal, because you have strong actors who are willing and able to take decisions, and there’s a certain degree of urgency.” – Aaron David Miller, who worked on Israel-Palestinian negotiations for several US administrations.

“Experienced observers can read between the lines. Iran’s tone may sound uncompromising, intended to satisfy a domestic audience. But to the expert it’s leaving some wiggle room.” – Robert Einhorn, a former State Department nonproliferation adviser who was part of the US negotiating team until last year.

“People talk about Iran as patient chess players who think many moves in advance. They’re not. Iranians like backgammon much more, which you can’t plan very much in advance. A good throw or bad throw can completely turn the game around, which puts a premium on fast reaction to changing circumstances and a certain degree of improvisation.” – John Limbert, a former US diplomat who was held hostage in the US embassy in Tehran and decades later advised the Obama administration on Iran. – Bloomberg