US sanctions chief: Iran needs nuclear deal to save economy

The US Treasury Department’s outgoing sanctions chief David Cohen offered the opinion Monday that the Iranian economy cannot recover without a nuclear accommodation with the West for lifting sanctions. In his view, this strengthens Washington’s leverage in the final negotiations with Iran and weakens Tehran. “I think they are negotiating with their backs to the wall,” he said. DEBKAfile finds this view over-optimistic. President Barack Obama’s eagerness for a nuclear deal removes the heat from Iranian economy and increases its bargaining hand for a nuclear accord.