Iran's Nuclear Concessions Could Be Key to U.S. Strategy, Citic Securities Says

Citic Securities stated on April 12 that if Iran were to abandon uranium enrichment, it would represent a significant achievement for the U.S., particularly for U.S. President Donald Trump, who could use it to appease domestic concerns. According to Jin10, the ongoing conflict has already negatively impacted the midterm elections, necessitating a swift resolution. Since the Iranian Islamic Revolution, the U.S. has lost control over Iran's nuclear capabilities, a challenge that has persisted through multiple U.S. presidencies, affecting America's Middle East strategy. The political impact of Iran's potential nuclear disarmament is seen as more significant than the indirect effects of oil prices and inflation on elections. Consequently, the Trump administration might consider compromises on issues like control over the Strait of Hormuz. From Iran's perspective, the conflict has demonstrated that blocking the strait and threatening Middle Eastern infrastructure are powerful leverage tools, potentially more impactful than nuclear threats. These actions, which can be executed with low-cost drones, pose significant risks to the U.S. and global economies, providing Iran with a strategic counterbalance. Repeated near-escalations to large-scale infrastructure damage suggest that the likelihood of extreme war escalation is low, reducing the chances of extreme oil prices, severe recession, or stagflation.