Deal in nuclear dispute with Iran

The nuclear deal with Iran gives the centre-left daily Politiken fresh hope even for war-torn Syria: "This is an achievement that doesn't just give us hope that a military confrontation over Iran's nuclear ambitions can be avoided. The agreement also gives us hope that the US, Russia and Iran can start a dialogue on how to stop the catastrophe in Syria and combat the IS. It can help to unravel the tight diplomatic knots in the Middle East and release great economic potential - which would also benefit the Arab states and Israel. A mutual understanding has been achieved from which both sides can profit. This isn't guaranteed, and the mistrust between Iran and its neighbours is not merely incidental. It's hard to end an established conflict and it takes time to build up fresh trust between old enemies."

If it wants to benefit from the nuclear agreement between the West and Iran Turkey needs to change its foreign policy, the liberal-conservative daily Hürriyet believes: "The time has come for Turkey to quickly correct its diplomatic mistakes. The entire world has been given the impression that [Sunni-influenced] Turkey pursues a 'confessional foreign policy'. It's certain that this has led to uncertainty between us and Iran. If Turkey wants to benefit from the agreement both politically and economically it must change its foreign policy of recent times. ... And if we can reach an agreement with Iran, Turkey can realise its goal of becoming an energy corridor. A balanced foreign policy that doesn't anger Saudi Arabia, normalises relations with Israel and uses the possibilities that arise with Iran stands to greatly benefit our own economy."

The nuclear agreement with Iran could fuel the very arms race in the Middle East that it is supposed to prevent, the centre-left daily Süddeutsche Zeitung fears: "Because the deal doesn't solve the fundamental problem: Iran remains an emerging nuclear power. The agreement puts Tehran's nuclear programme in chains for ten to fifteen years but it won't prevent Iran from building a nuclear bomb in the foreseeable future. It simply postpones the time when Tehran will be able to do this. Iran's rivals - especially Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states, but perhaps also Egypt or Turkey - will look very closely and calmly in the coming years at the questions of whether they shouldn't try to get their own nuclear bomb before Tehran gets it. … The times when the disarmament of as many nuclear bombs as possible was the declared goal of the nuclear weapon states are over. Russia has shown that being a nuclear power means you can cannibalise your neighbours."

Iran will remain dangerous even after the signing of the agreement, the conservative daily De Telegraaf warns: "Rather than being dismantled, Iran's nuclear facilities will simply remain as they are. Tehran will also have the opportunity to object to planned inspections, after which time consuming negotiations will take place. And its scientists will be able to continue their nuclear research, although it's unclear whether they will be obliged to give information about their activities in developing nuclear weapons. All things considered it's a risky agreement, and it's more than questionable whether the six world powers will really be able to put an end to Iran's nuclear ambitions. ... Iran remains a terrorist state at heart, ruled by leaders under the spell of an apocalyptic ideology. In this respect it is risky indeed that its nuclear programme won't be completely stopped and dismantled."