Why Trump’s Iran deal might actually stick

For the first time in over a decade, the U.S. is conducting Iran negotiations with its Arab allies — not just around them.

This marks a strategic shift from the Obama-era nuclear deal, which was widely viewed in the region as a fait accompli delivered from Washington and met with deep skepticism in Arab capitals.

This time, the talks took place in Oman, a trusted regional mediator. But more important than geography is coordination. The Trump administration is keeping Saudi Arabia — a longtime counterweight to Iranian influence — in the loop at every step. It reflects a growing recognition in Washington: The last deal failed, in part, because it excluded the people most likely to live with its consequences.