The weekly said that "with a large dose of optimism", recent signals from both capitals could be read positively, with both sides indicating a willingness to reach an agreement. However, at least two sticking points remain: the unfreezing of Iranian financial assets and whether a final deal would extend to Israel's war with Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Three influential Republican senators — Lindsey Graham, Ted Cruz and Roger Wicker — were among those openly criticizing Trump's approach to the talks. Some Republican politicians and commentators have drawn comparisons between the emerging deal and the 2015 nuclear agreement signed under President Barack Obama.
"Trump appears to view — or wants to view — the emerging agreement far more positively than his allies and party colleagues", Der Spiegel wrote.
The magazine cautioned that a collapse of the talks remained possible, as had happened several times in recent weeks after announcements of imminent progress. And even if a compromise were reached, it would be "very modest" compared to the ambitions Trump had brought to the conflict — a far cry from the "unconditional surrender" he had demanded of Tehran in early March.
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Source: PAP