The story: President Hassan Rouhani has hinted that Iran is ready for a sequenced return to compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal signed with world powers. He has suggested that steps could be taken to resolve the impasse over the accord—if the US is willing to do the same. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is reportedly drafting a “constructive concrete plan of action” for the revival of the deal.

The coverage: Reformist-backed Rouhani brought up the suggestion for a new approach in a speech on March 10, saying, “The United States should know that…we are ready to act on all obligations against all obligations, and we are ready to act on part of the obligation against part of the obligation.” Iran has so far called on the US to return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as the deal is formally known, and lift all sanctions prior to any talks.

Rouhani’s suggestion has been severely criticized by hardliners at home, and even been refuted by an unnamed senior security official. Speaking to the state-funded Press TV, the official said on March 10 that Iran is opposed to any step-by-step return to the nuclear deal.

Meanwhile, conservative MPs have accused Rouhani of having ulterior plans, with an eye to Iran’s upcoming June presidential elections. It is unclear what those motives may be, beyond seeking to prevent a hardliner takeover of the presidency.

Speaking to Fars News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), conservative lawmaker Nasrollah Pejmanfar said on March 11, “The president’s goal is to foment a polarized [atmosphere] in the country.” He also claimed that Rouhani was floating a new approach to the JCPOA for electoral purposes. Of note, having served two consecutive terms since 2013, the incumbent is not eligible to run for reelection this summer.

In an interview with Fars on March 11, MP Mojtaba Rezakhah stated that Rouhani’s remarks will have “no gains” for the country. “These statements are made to deceive people,” continued the MP.

Meanwhile, the moderate Entekhab news site argued on March 10 that Rouhani’s suggestion indicates that Tehran and Washington’s views on a US return to the JCPOA are becoming more aligned.

The context/analysis: The JCPOA was signed between Iran and the P5+1 (The US, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany) in 2015 after two years of arduous talks. The administration of former US president Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran. Joe Biden served as vice president when the accord was originally signed and promised during campaigning that he would return to it if elected.

Rouhani’s remarks notably come only days after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov urged Iran and the US to take “simultaneous steps” to come back into compliance with the nuclear deal. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also called for the implementation of a “step-by-step” solution.

These remarks come against the backdrop of Zarif’s Feb. 1 suggestion that the European Union—the coordinator of the JCPOA Joint Commission—should coordinate a synchronized US and Iranian return to the accord. Zarif’s mention of a “plan of action” is likely the outcome of his February proposal.

The future: The wave of opposition to Rouhani’s suggestion indicates that if the Iranian government moves forward with a step-by-step plan, attacks and obstructions from hardlines will continue.

Rouhani and Zarif appear to face a number of domestic obstacles to the revival of the JCPOA. These challenges include overcoming opposition from politicians such as National Security Advisor Ali Shamkhani as well as institutions such as the hardline-dominated parliament. The conservative camp appears concerned about the knock-on effects of a revived JCPOA. The underlying assumption is that improved economic conditions would favor the popularity of Reformists ahead of the June elections.

To alleviate the pressures it faces at home, the Rouhani administration needs something to show for its efforts: such as the unfreezing of Iran’s assets in places like South Korea, Japan, Iraq, and Oman. Indeed, a resulting improvement in investor and consumer sentiment could encourage support for Rouhani in the face of hardliner opposition to a resolution with Washington.