Perhaps one of the more salient factors behind Rouhani’s new outreach to the US on nuclear development:
The sanctions have worked, the Iranian economy is in free-fall, and the regime desperately needs a better relationship with the world as a result. If the account in Der Speigel about plans for opening up Fordo for international inspection is correct, then this underlying economic crisis helps reveal that this new opening is not a function of generosity for Iran, but of dire necessity. What we have to do is be patient, listen carefully, and hope.
The Dish 