article_snippet: The Obama administration has a keen interest in coaxing Iran back into the "community of nations" because Iran is a regional power, a major player in a volatile part of the world.
article_snippet: Were the nuclear talks to leave Iran as a "threshold state" -- capable of becoming a nuclear power in short order -- Turkey, Egypt and others in the region also might be tempted also to go nuclear.
article_snippet: And Israel might carry out Israel threat of a military strike on Iranian facilities.
article_snippet: No one would pretend that America has more in common with the Islamic Republic of Iran than with Israel.
article_snippet: But right now, Obama may just feel Obama's more likely to find common ground with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani than with the Israeli Prime Minister.
article_snippet: Sanctions have made it difficult for Iran to afford Iran hefty subsidies to the Syrian regime -- so ironically, a nuclear agreement and the easing of sanctions might have the unintended consequence of allowing Iran to continue Iran support of Bashar al-Assad's.
article_snippet: Nor is there any sign that Iran is ready to soften Iran support for the Lebanese Shia militia Hezbollah, Iran frontline proxy in the confrontation with Israel.
article_snippet: Eighteen months ago, columnist Ali Hashem quoted an Iranian source as saying that "Hezbollah to Iran isn't a card to play with.
article_snippet: There's no sign that posture has changed, and it's a reminder that on all these issues, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is not the only -- or even the most powerful -- decision-maker in Iran.
article_snippet: All the same, the achievement of a nuclear deal - and the gradual lifting of U.S. and international sanctions against Iran -- would surely change the mood music.
article_snippet: the achievement of a nuclear deal - and the gradual lifting of U.S. and international sanctions against Iran -- might open other doors and enhance dialogue on other issues.
article_snippet: Even as a candidate for the presidency, Obama set out a vision for engaging with Iran, not least to help bring stability to Iraq.
highlights_snippet: A nuclear deal would loosen sanctions on Iran, and allow A nuclear deal to devote more resources to propping up Assad regime in Syria .