Strategic Deadlock in Iran’s Nuclear Talks: Commentary by Prof. Nobumasa Akiyama (Japanese)
On June 16, 2025, Professor Nobumasa Akiyama (Graduate School of Law) was interviewed for an NHK article titled “Israel Launches Renewed Strikes — Possible Contamination Inside Iranian Nuclear Facilities.” This interview was conducted in response to the cancellation of the sixth round of high-level talks between the United States and Iran concerning Iran’s nuclear development program. Professor Akiyama noted that, given the current situation in which Iran is under attack by Israel, it is unlikely that Iran would agree to negotiations under the U.S. condition of a complete abandonment of its nuclear development program. He pointed out that Iran faces a dilemma in which both proceeding with and withdrawing from negotiations present serious challenges. While the incentive for Iran to pursue nuclear weapons has grown, he added, the country also has strong reasons to avoid international isolation.
