Amb. Wendy Sherman: The Iran Nuclear Deal, Trump’s War & What’s Next

In this episode of The Burn Bag, A’ndre welcomes former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman for a wide-ranging conversation on President Trump’s approach to diplomacy, the ongoing Iran War, the recent Trump–Xi Jinping summit, and the art of negotiating with America’s adversaries.

Sherman, who led the U.S. negotiations that secured the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA), assesses Trump’s negotiating style, the outcomes of his recent summit with Xi Jinping, and the implications for U.S.–China relations and Taiwan. She also takes listeners behind the scenes of the JCPOA negotiations, discussing Iran’s red lines, domestic political opposition, and her experience negotiating with current Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

The conversation then turns to the ongoing Iran War, Tehran’s leverage over the Strait of Hormuz, and whether a new diplomatic agreement remains possible. Sherman reflects on the lessons of past negotiations, the role of military pressure in diplomacy, and the challenges of rebuilding American credibility and alliances.

Topics Covered: Trump’s negotiating style • Iran War • Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) • Trump–Xi summit • Xi Jinping • Taiwan • Abbas Araghchi • Strait of Hormuz • U.S.–Iran negotiations • American diplomatic credibility • U.S. alliances