After marathon talks, a landmark deal was clinched between Iran and five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany on Tuesday. The agreement will put limits on Iran's nuclear activities and in return sanctions on Iran will be relieved. It eliminates the possibly biggest fuse to a war in the Middle East and marks Iran's return to the international community after long being described by the West as an extreme and bizarre country.

Prior to this, the US and Iran have been deadlocked over the latter's nuclear activities for decades. In the Middle East, Iran publicly has become a rival for much longer than any other country and its nuclear issue has long-held the possibility of large-scale war in the region.

The security risks resulting from the US-Iran rivalry have expanded to the surrounding region and caused massive vigilance and mistrust among countries in the Middle East, leading to many factions. Extremist forces in the region have also gained more space for survival.

The intense confrontation between Washington and Tehran has caused more losses than gains for both sides. Four rounds of UN sanctions on Iran have failed to destroy its economy while the US has had no ease over the years. Meanwhile, Iran has not produced any nuclear weapons but suffered huge economic losses, with little guarantee for its national security.

In this context, Washington may have learned that pushing anyone too hard does not work and Tehran understood that it was unable to confront international society that disagrees with its stance in unity.

Iran's experience can be exemplary for other countries holding nuclear ambitions, such as North Korea. Since small and medium-sized countries can hardly control nuclear issues as they will, considering the general picture is a wise option for their national interests.

Tuesday's deal with its peaceful connotation has given the world a sigh of relief. China, which has kept cooperating with Iran, will especially feel delighted. As the sanctions are gradually lifted, there will be wide prospects for bilateral cooperation.

Improved relations between the US and Iran will affect the geopolitical structure in the Middle East and may bring some discomfort at the beginning, but this will hardly evolve into major new risks.

Before the deal, there were often rumors that the US and Israel may launch air strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities. China has firmly insisted on solving the nuclear issue through negotiations, which has proven right. The resolution of a globally influential crisis through negotiations has set an explicit paradigm.

Besides the Iran deal, US President Barack Obama and his administration have established ties with the Cuban government recently, which will be remembered by history. It is hoped that with these achievements Obama intends to promote world peace and prosperity rather than prepare for larger US geopolitical gambles.