TEHRAN (Tasnim) � A former CIA analyst said the recent nuclear deal between Iran and world powers could help fix strained Tehran-Washington ties, but the problem is that the US government still continues to portray the Islamic Republic as its arch-foe in the media.

�It was a really good thing that this accord was nailed down after two years of negotiations. The only problem I see is that the US government continues to portray Iran in the media as an enemy and adversary,� Elizabeth Murray told The News Tribune on Sunday.

�It�s useful for our government to portray Iran as a perennial enemy. It�s a profitable thing to have Iran as an enemy. Obviously we�re spending lots of money in the defense industry just by describing Iran as on the cusp of the weapons. It�s just the way things go in Washington,� she added.

�The 2007 National Intelligence Estimate, which represents the highest level consensus of the intelligence community, said Iran had not worked on a nuclear weapon since 2003. Even though this accord is nice, it�s basically reaffirming and verifying that Iran is not working on the weapon it has not been working on since 2003.�

Murray on Monday plans to share her thoughts on why the deal is a good one at a forum in University Place.

She spent 27 years in the CIA mostly working as a Middle East analyst and now works with the Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action, the Poulsbo-based anti-nuclear organization.

Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany- also known as P5+1 or E3+3) on July 14 reached a conclusion over the text of a comprehensive 159-page deal on Tehran�s nuclear energy program.

The deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), would terminate all nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran after coming into force.

By Tasnim News Agency