Kamala Harris' Middle East Policy: Insights from a Former Obama Official

A Middle East policy expert who helped secure the Iran nuclear deal predicts that Vice President Kamala Harris will pursue a similar agreement if elected president, while acknowledging the need for a more comprehensive approach to address Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Former Obama administration official Joel Rubin, a Middle East policy expert who played a key role in the negotiation of the Iran nuclear deal, believes that Vice President Kamala Harris would seek a similar agreement if she wins the White House. However, Rubin emphasizes that the circumstances have changed since the original deal was signed in 2015, requiring a more robust approach.

"The idea that the old nuclear deal can just be restarted, we're past that," Rubin told Fox News Digital. "Iran's progress on its nuclear program has exceeded the previous limitations… a firm, verifiable nuclear deal that corrals and runs the ability to accelerate the nuclear weapon, that has to be the goal."

Kamala Harris' Middle East Policy: Insights from a Former Obama Official

Rubin stresses the importance of a "firm and verified" nuclear agreement, arguing that any realistic president would pursue such a goal. He believes that Harris, if elected, would fall into this category as a "realistic president-to-be."

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, was a landmark agreement signed in 2015 between Iran, members of the United Nations National Security Council, and the European Union. The deal aimed to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.

Kamala Harris' Middle East Policy: Insights from a Former Obama Official

Republicans and some moderate Democrats opposed the JCPOA, arguing that it was too weak to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran hawks also argued that lifting sanctions would only embolden the regime. President Trump withdrew the United States from the agreement in 2018.

Rubin acknowledges that the situation has changed since the JCPOA was signed, with Iran making significant progress in its nuclear program. He believes that a new agreement with Tehran is necessary to curb its nuclear ambitions.

Kamala Harris' Middle East Policy: Insights from a Former Obama Official

"There has to be a way to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions," Rubin said. "If they were to get a nuclear weapon, that would be a threat to the region and to the world, including, of course, the United States. But it is not going to be an easy way forward."

Harris has not publicly stated whether she would support rejoining the JCPOA if elected president. However, she indicated during her 2020 presidential campaign that she would be open to such a move.

Kamala Harris' Middle East Policy: Insights from a Former Obama Official

If Harris does pursue a new Iran nuclear deal, she could face criticism from Republicans who argue that it would embolden Iran at a time when it is already growing more aggressive toward the United States and its allies.

Rubin acknowledges the potential for criticism but argues that a comprehensive agreement with Iran is essential to address the threat posed by its nuclear program. He believes that Harris is capable of navigating the complexities of Middle East policy and developing a realistic approach to the Iran issue.

The Biden administration has taken a more cautious approach toward Iran than the Obama administration, focusing on diplomacy rather than the threat of military action. The administration has also been reluctant to lift sanctions on Iran without significant progress on the nuclear issue.

Whether Harris would adopt a similar approach if elected president remains to be seen. However, her background in foreign policy and her experience working with the Obama administration suggest that she would prioritize diplomacy and seek comprehensive solutions to regional challenges.