James Phillips

In January 1998, Iran’s newly elected president called for a cultural exchange between Iran and the United States in hopes of easing the strained relationship between the two nations. In the following viewpoint, James Phillips argues that the United States cannot yet pursue a more relaxed relationship with Iran. In fact, Phillips contends, the United States must maintain sanctions against Iran until the Iranian government agrees to stop supporting international terrorism, fomenting Islamic revolution, and pursuing efforts to amass weapons of mass destruction. Phillips is a senior policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. In Phillips’s opinion, what would happen if the United States were to relax its economic sanctions against...