According to press reports last week, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif used a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation last week in Geneva to explain to U.S. and EU diplomats what Iran may do to address their concerns with Iran’s nuclear activities. Putting aside the permissibility under U.S. law of how Mr. Zarif obtained PowerPoint, the bigger story is that Iran’s amicable overtures may be working. The New York Times reported on Friday that the Obama Administration is considering a plan that would unfreeze some portion of blocked Iranian assets in exchange for Iranian government commitments with respect to its nuclear program.

While even such a proposed plan is significant given U.S. foreign relations with Iran over the past few decades, there may be some obstacles to loosening sanctions on Iran. Members of Congress quickly responded to news of the Geneva talks with proposals for tighter sanctions on Iran

The United States is not, however, the only one on Iran’s dance card. How the EU responds, for example, to actions by a new Iranian government is a critical component to how effective U.S. sanctions are. Although some U.S. politicians would like to believe Iran’s current pains from sanctions are felt exclusively because of increased U.S. sanctions, the success of sanctions is not properly evaluated without considering the increase of other sanctions, principally those of the EU and Switzerland, within the last few years.

Using PowerPoint should not be underestimated as a calculated gesture by Iran even if it may have required a U.S. export license. Gestures are important aspects of diplomacy and can lead to significant developments in foreign relations. Just ask Reagan and Gorbachev about their walk along Lake Geneva almost thirty years ago. Congress and the Obama Administration need to find some common ground before talks with Iran resume in Geneva next month in order for the United States to take part in meaningful discussions. If not, the United States may not be part of any lakeside strolls, which can be especially cold when alone in Geneva this time of year.

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