The biggest impediment to a new nuclear deal with Iran? Domestic politics | Holly Dagres

Though a return to the JCPOA seems likely, both Washington and Tehran have complex internal obstacles to overcome

The United States and Iran are in a staring contest, and neither wants to blink first - at least that's how the BBC Middle East editor, Jeremy Bowen, described the current political impasse.

Since president Joe Biden took office on 20 January, the countries have been locked in a stalemate over the joint comprehensive plan of action (JCPOA), which the Donald Trump administration withdrew from in May 2018, reimposing sanctions on Iran - despite the country not having violating the multilateral accord. These actions prompted Iran to speed up its nuclear programme after May 2019 by incrementally breaching aspects of the JCPOA.