Leaders | Dealmaking in the Middle East

How to use “maximum pressure” to stop an Iranian bomb

The Islamic Republic is closer than ever to obtaining nukes

An employee works inside a nuclear facility in Isfahan, Iran
Photograph: Reuters

AT HOME AND abroad, Iran is in trouble. In the space of less than a year, the country has lost one president, three allies (the leaders of Syria, Hamas and Hizbullah), several missile-production sites and all its best air-defence systems. It has a moribund economy, a growing energy crisis and a restive population. Small wonder the regime is relying on one of the few arrows left in its quiver—its nuclear programme.

Explore more

This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “More for more ”

From the February 1st 2025 edition

Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents

Explore the edition

More from Leaders

A metal lighter with "TAXES US. Department of state engraved", symbolising financial burden

Despite fears of a global tax war, Donald Trump has a chance to make peace

A global minimum tax on companies ought to be acceptable to America

Around the world, an anti-red-tape revolution is taking hold

Done right, deregulation could kick-start economic growth


Officials from USAID and WFP inspect food aid in Harare, Zimbabwe

By cutting off assistance to foreigners, America hurts itself

Donald Trump’s chaotic aid freeze makes his country weaker


The real meaning of the DeepSeek drama

The Chinese model-maker has panicked investors. But it is good for the users of AI

Rwanda does a Putin in Congo

To understand the seizure of Goma, consider a parallel with Ukraine

Sir Keir Starmer should aim higher in his reset with the EU

And he needs to be clearer about what Britain wants