Axis of evil dances with the devil
The Iran nuclear deal, which signals the first thaw in US-Iranian relations for 30 years, was struck against all odds with heavy risks on both sides
Saturday night had turned into Sunday morning and four days of talks over Iran's nuclear programme had already gone so far over schedule that the Geneva Intercontinental Hotel had been given over to another event.
A black tie charity ball was ending and singers with an after-party band at a bar above the lobby were crooning out the words to a Johnny Cash song - "I fell into a burning ring of fire." In nearby conference rooms, weary diplomats tried to polish off the last touches of an accord. Negotiators emerged, complaining that the hotel lobby smelled like beer.
At around 2am, US Secretary of State John Kerry and counterparts from Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia were ushered to a conference room to approve a final text of the agreement which would provide limited sanctions relief on Iran in return for curbs to its nuclear programme.
At the last minute, with the ministers already gathered, an Iranian official sought changes. Negotiators for the global powers refused. Finally, the ministers were given the all clear. With the interim deal signed, talks are still not over as the parties work towards a final accord that would settle all doubts about Iran's nuclear programme.
"Now the really hard part begins," Kerry told reporters.
The deal represents the most important thaw between the United States and Iran in more than three decades since Iranian revolutionaries stormed the US embassy in Tehran and seized 52 American hostages. Yet it very nearly did not happen.
[Khamenei] gave the green light but was not optimistic about the result