Obama's Engagement Strategy with Iran: Limited Results

Obama's diplomacy had early success with Iran's agreement in October 2009 to ship most of its low-enriched uranium abroad in exchange for fuel rods for its medical research reactor. This agreement did not last, however, in the face of strong domestic US opposition and the Western powers' refusal to allow modifications. Obama had further success in June 2010, when the UN Security Council imposed new sanctions on Iran. In addition, the United States and the European Union imposed sanctions of their own. Whatever happens in the future, Iran does not seem ready to give up its nuclear program, although it is currently feeling the weight of new sanctions from the UN—as well as pressures from the United States and the EU.