Headlines around the world have heralded a “strategic alliance” between Iran and China. A raft of secret deals on the sale of discounted oil, the provision of 5G communications technology, and the deepening of the military partnership, are presumed to challenge American hegemony in the Middle East. But there is no alliance in the offing.

Chief U.S. Iran nuclear negotiator, Ambassador Wendy Sherman, visited the Wilson Center to explain the intricacies of the deal and to offer her assessment of the final outcome and what will follow. She responded to questions from the Wilson Center’s Rob Litwak, and also from members of the audience.Wendy Sherman, Chief U.S. Nuclear Negotiator with