ABSTRACT
This chapter starts out with the notion that EU’s complementary role-taking during the crisis depended on Iranian acceptance, a convergence of European positions, and a gradual role re-allocation of the U.S. administrations. The chapter posits that the fluidity of the U.S. leadership role and the Iranian position challenged the consistency and boundaries of the non-proliferation regime and, paradoxically, led to its specification and strengthening. The chapter closes with some comments on the future of the U.S. leadership role under President Donald Trump and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
