Iran Actions Welcomed by US: Nuclear Limits, Prisoner Releases, ISIS Fight

Recent Iranian moves positively received by Washington:

1. Nuclear Restraint (JCPOA Compliance)

• Capped uranium enrichment (3.67%, ≤300 kg stockpile)
• Fordow converted to research (no enrichment)
• IAEA monitoring: cameras, inspections, uranium trace detection
• Extended breakout time from ~2–3 months to ~1 year

2. US Prisoner Releases

• Jason Rezaian (WP journalist, held 2014–2016)
• Saeed Abedini (pastor, held 2012–2016)
• Amir Hekmati, Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari (2016 swap)
• 2023: 5 Americans released in $6B unfrozen funds deal

3. Anti-ISIS Cooperation (Tacit/Indirect)

• Iran-backed Iraqi militias (PMF) fought ISIS in Tikrit, Baiji, Mosul
• Soleimani coordinated with US-backed Iraqi forces (deconfliction)
• Shared interest: prevent Sunni jihadist state on Iran's border

Caveats

These steps occurred amid ongoing hostility: proxy attacks, missile program, human rights abuses, regional meddling. Cooperation is transactional, not strategic alignment.