Iran nuclear dismantlement is possible without war, analyst argues

A US analyst has argued that demanding the full dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program would not necessarily lead to war, countering concerns that such a hardline stance risks military conflict.

In an article published by The National Interest, Janatan Sayeh of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies wrote that Iran has historically avoided direct confrontation with the United States, even in response to high-stakes actions such as the 2020 killing of Qassem Soleimani.

Sayeh backed former President Donald Trump’s May 4 remarks calling for the “total dismantlement” of Iran’s nuclear program as the end goal of any future deal. He said such an approach, coupled with continued economic pressure, could yield a durable diplomatic solution.

The article emphasizes that Iran’s responses have largely aimed to avoid triggering full-scale conflict, and urges Washington not to be deterred by what Sayeh called “alarmist predictions.”