One of the most important points that needs to be tackled, if there is a possibility of talks, is to address how sanctions can be lifted. Of course, worries about the domestic political and financial ramifications of this, necessarily restrict diplomacy to back-channel talks, but the problem in these is that both parties inevitably end up second-guessing the other and therefore not really reaching any tangible conclusion. Keeping in mind recent events and even the rather brief and apparently ‘inadvertent’ lifting of internet restrictions in Iran recently, which some speculate was an ‘experiment by the new administration,’ it seems that the republic is trying to offer an olive branch. It seems that the Americans might even take a hold of this opportunity as US officials have said that although a meeting has not been planned the two heads of state might meet each other when they address the UN general assembly. One can’t predict the future but one has to at least view it with optimism and hope that a drive to reduce the suffering of individuals, who are far removed from the world of political machinations, will ultimately catalyse a sensible direction in policy.