Tehran selling deal with US as victory – but for Iranians it was necessity

US Vice-President JD Vance has said Iran would not receive taxpayer money but could gain access to billions of dollars if it fulfils its commitments and sanctions are eased. That allows Tehran to sell the deal as a path to investment and reconstruction rather than dependency on America.Still, the risks are obvious. The details of the memorandum have not been fully published, and negotiations are expected to begin in Switzerland on Friday. The most difficult issues, the future of Iran's enriched uranium, the level of enrichment allowed, verification, sanctions relief, Hormuz and Lebanon, remain to be discussed in the talks.There is also uncertainty over Israel. Its prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has rejected reports that Israel will withdraw from southern Lebanon, saying Israeli forces will remain in Lebanon for as long as necessary. Donald Trump, meanwhile, has publicly criticised Israel's conduct in Lebanon, saying too many people have been killed. He also said he was unhappy with an Israeli strike on Beirut shortly before the Iran-US deal was reached, while insisting his relationship with Netanyahu remained excellent.For Tehran, this visible friction between Washington and Israel is useful. It can be presented as evidence that Iran's pressure has complicated Israel's freedom of action. But it also makes the deal fragile. If Israel continues operations in Lebanon, Iran will face pressure to respond. If Washington cannot restrain Israel, Tehran's claim that Lebanon is covered by the memorandum may quickly be tested.The reaction from BBC Persian's audience suggests the official victory narrative is landing unevenly.