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01x03 - Compromise

Episode transcripts for the TV show, "The Deal". Aired: October 16, 2025.*
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In 2015 Geneva, a Swiss diplomat mediates tense US-Iran nuclear talks while dealing with the arrival of Payam Sanjabi, an endangered Iranian engineer from her past, complicating her diplomatic role.

01x03 - Compromise

Post by bunniefuu »

The United States of America is giving us $10 billion back.

My darling, we'll pay for it.

My objective is still to shut down Iraq.

Whether civil or military, the United States demands that the site be dismantled.

Listen, the Israelis say the Iranians are three months away from having the b*mb.

They're opposed to resuming negotiations, and they're not gonna cut us any slack you'd like to have

a fun time

But remember come back it is yours Sarah you think you're a

Grandmaster chess player why did you go to prison what happened cuz explain right now first we pass

messages in the dirty laundry

Yes?

Did I wake you?

No.

Well, not at all.

We have an emergency.

Iran's just bombed Israel.

What?

A m*ssile on the Golan Heights.

Oh, sh*t.

Get dressed, quick as you can.

OK, on my way.

Oh, sh*t.

OK, wake up.

Wake up, up, come on.

I need you up, I need you out, I need you dressed.

You were more charming last night.

Then keep a low profile on your way out.

No.

Give me the way you did that.

Oh, my God.

Last night, the Iranian army launched a ballistic m*ssile towards Israel.

A message sent by the Revolution Guards who view as suspicion the negotiation currently taking

place at the moment in Geneva.

This attack against the Hebrew state took place while youth demonstrations are growing in Iran,

led by women, often very young, demanding more freedom.

Oh, Ambassador.

Thank you.

You can wait outside. The Taché will see to you.

Uh, Miss Weiss set up the meeting.

She stays in the room.

Uh, and reporter here is from Treasury.

Yes, I am aware of, Mr. Porter.

Thank you.

Madam Under-Secretary, Israel cannot allow this provocation to go unanswered.

But isn't that precisely the purpose of provocation? To force you to react?

The m*ssile they shot at us, it was very accurate.

Too accurate.

Their advances in ballistics are not just impressive, they are lethal.

They now can add a nuclear warhead to any of their missiles.

I understand your concern.

Yeah, our concern you the USA is talking about Iran having the ability to launch

internationally loaded and

Precision guided missiles without the slightest control. I know what ballistics are

Tel Aviv is just 2,000 kilometers from Tehran from Washington. Oh

Everything always seems so far away. Hmm, but not to us

Either you dismantle their ballistics program...

or we will b*mb their nuclear enrichment sites,

starting with Natanz and Fodou.

If you do that, the entire region will go up in flames.

Now, we cannot take that risk.

No, we cannot negotiate with these people.

You are the ones who always insist on negotiation.

So, it's your problem.

The New York Jewish community takes a dim view of these negotiations.

The Jewish community is diverse, as are its opinions.

Certainly. Oh, by the way, how's your mother?

Age has not softened her anti-Israel sentiments, it seems.

Let's leave my mother out of our discussions, shall we?

She has her opinions I have mine we can support Israel and still challenge your policies in the

settlements

My mother has fought against barbarism her whole life

After experiencing it firsthand in the Ravensbrook camp

don't forget that and

Don't forget that when you're speaking with me you're speaking with the United States of America

You need us.

Less and less.

She's still counting on the negotiations to open the country.

Maybe she can trap them on ballistics.

Even diplomatic, political, even personal pressure is needed.

What about your operation?

We were wrong about Porter.

He was too greedy.

We failed to get his phone.

We failed.

I'm proud of you.

The Prime Minister wants to know what's going on around this table.

We work about it.

I'm not going to be a soldier. I'm going to be a soldier.

The Ministry of Defense is afraid, because the power is in the hands of reformists and young people

.

These young people are rebelling against the government.

Just like what you've forgotten.

The Ministry of Defense does what it's supposed to do.

It defends the country when the rest are elsewhere.

The hunger of the nation cannot be met with a b*mb.

I'm sorry for disturbing you.

We spotted an error in your title.

Your professor Emerit is at the University of Tehran.

We forgot to know that, but it's been corrected.

That would never happen to the Americans.

Yes, it's a small mistake.

Sorry, Mr. Khadibi, it will never happen again.

Thank you.

Ladies and gentlemen, take your seats.

It looks like we're going to have to discuss the Golden Heights, don't you think?

Minister, this attack on Israel forces us to return to Iran's ballistics program.

We need to limit it, to control it.

It would therefore be preferable to reinstate it in the Global Nuclear Agreement.

It is a matter of security in the region and in the international community.

Can I continue, please?

Without control of ballistics, the possibility of any agreement is now out of the question

for the United States.

Our engineer, Professor Sanjabi, would like to speak.

I don't need any technical information at the moment.

Thank you.

Mr. Sanjabit, please.

Madam Undersecretary, as you know, ballistics is the science of objects and movement.

That science directly concerns our program of sending communication satellites, for example.

There wasn't a satellite that fell last night.

I simply want to emphasize that it's a vast field which also includes our fundamental

research leading to the technological progress that Iran aspires to.

I don't see the connection.

It was an Iranian woman who received the Fields Medal in Mathematics last year.

They will always be welcome in our universities.

Not if you condemn entire sectors of our research,

because you'll be condemning the progress and the future of those young women,

condemning the future of all Iranian youth.

Who launched that m*ssile?

Who is it who is mortgaging the future of Iranian youth?

Hmm?

Madam Undersecretary, I hope I'll not have to bang my shoe on the table in order to remind you

that Ballistics Program was excluded a long time ago from these negotiations.

Maybe your concern involves mostly your main, should I say, only ally in the region, the Israelis?

America will not change its position.

Iran has crossed a red line.

And if nobody else in this room recognizes that,

I will happily explain our situation to the press.

I strongly suggest waiting until the end of the day

before making any statements to the press.

May I have your agreement on that point?

Please.

Okay. Good.

Thank you.

Oh, my God.

Come on.

I'm here.

Alex.

Yes?

Is it okay?

Where are they?

They're outside.

What happened?

Why did you go to prison? What did you do?

On my way up to see you the last time.

I was followed.

They already suspected me of being an opponent.

The guards arrested me on the foot of the building.

They hit me.

I lied.

I lied to protect you.

protect you. I said I'm going to see a colleague, an Italian physicist.

They imprisoned me because of treason. I thought you didn't want to see me anymore.

I thought you had left me and that you didn't dare come and tell me that it was over.

Over? I thought of you every day. There was no possibility to get in touch with you.

In prison, you know that.

Oh, there you are.

I've been looking for you everywhere for ten minutes.

I don't have a lot of time.

Sorry, I had to deal with an emergency, sir.

I'm the emergency? Yes.

I need a one-on-one with Madafi, fast.

Professor Sanjabi has sunk us on ballistics.

OK, I'll open a room for you.

So, delegates, let's get straight to the point.

Support from China will be invaluable

on the question of ballistics.

China is developing an ambitious space program

to go to the moon.

I'm talking about Iran.

They're not developing their missiles to go to the moon.

The Iranian military has sent you a clear signal, hasn't it?

No deal.

So now what do we do?

The international community will not be subject to the whims of the Revolutionary Guards.

Sorry.

You know, with this attack, we're on the verge of a breakdown.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I have to take this call.

What's wrong, Hilda? You can't call me whenever you want.

They arrested Lola.

What do you mean? Where?

He went on a trip with his classmates and took everyone with him.

I told him not to go.

I was counting on you, Gilda.

I don't understand.

What does this generation want?

These guys don't have anything to worry about.

You know you won't do anything.

What does he think?

I've been working day and night with a fly on my head.

I really don't know what to do.

Please forgive me.

Bad news?

No, no. Everything is fine.

Where were we?

Our allies are understandably concerned about your ballistics program.

We legitimately want to include a provision, reframing it in the agreement.

You let the Israelis dictate your policies.

And you let the guards dictate yours. Is that really preferable?

I'll let you think about that.

But not too long.

We will not give up our ballistics program, Madam Undersecretary.

Everything all right, Madam Davis?

No. They're all starting to get on my nerves.

Cohen, Markov, and now Delegate Zhou joins the party.

It's a no on ballistics because, you see, the Chinese want to go to the moon.

And if they want a cold w*r, they'll get one.

A cold w*r? What do you mean?

Exactly that. A cold w*r.

Are you okay?

Yeah, I'm fine. It's just some personal sh*t that I need to deal with, but I'm fine.

So, Markov won't give in on ballistics?

No. Dave has also got opposition from a Chinese delegation.

And then Yahoo arrives in Washington this afternoon.

Obama's turned his schedule upside down for him.

It looks like sh*t. It smells like sh*t. It probably is sh*t.

you have any suggestions any ideas i do but i'd like to talk about it with madame cohen

well she's in a meeting with cory so

why don't you test out your brilliant idea on me

okay i would suggest the permanent presence of the atomic energy agency in iran as a concession

to ballistics so you want to saddle iran with uh with an office full of european civil servants

to control them no i'm talking about permanent presence on nuclear research sites

with computer transmission of data in real time not to control them to monitor them smart but

madhavi will never go for it every country represented around that table complies with

IAEA controls that would even reassure Tel Aviv I don't know in any case it's in Obama's hands now

that won't play out here all we can do is wait sorry I gotta

okay sorry I've got to go talk to her about my idea maybe she gets a chance to talk to the

President overnight.

She's very sorry. She'll find us a better room if you agree.

OK, thank you.

I'm going downstairs to look for the other room.

Of course.

Davis!

Yes?

Are you sure?

Yes, she told me the Chinese were too hot.

She mentioned the Cold w*r. Well, I didn't get it all.

The Cold w*r?

Can you show me the place where you control the temperature of the rooms?

Of course.

I checked that.

Yeah, checked that.

So, who should he receive?

Babak Piros.

I'll leave you with your guest, Minister.

Yes, thank you, thank you, yes.

Let's go.

Oh, God, I'm so sick of this.

Look, your parents' medicines are here.

Yes, thank you very much.

Thank you very much.

Mohsen.

You have to do something for me.

What is it?

Look, as you know,

I'm going to school with the army.

I'll talk to them about the money and the sanctions

I don't want to know

My situation can't get in danger

I'll leave Geneva anyway

What did you do?

What did I do?

The money they give me

It's getting less and less

When I saw it like this

I invested in different stock exchanges

They want their money and I don't want it either

You left

You put your head on my head

Now you want me to get to you? Why do I have to do this?

Are you crazy?

Because we have problems with each other

Gilda gave it to you as a present

You have no right to talk to my daughter

Get out

Unfortunately, I can't count on our friendship.

You are not my friend here.

I am the foreign minister of affairs here.

And I am sure that the memories of that guest night can change many things, right?

Drugs, undressed women, dance and play.

See what happens in Tehran.

The minister of foreign affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran

is celebrating in Switzerland

while his daughter is chanting against our dear leader.

She sold her whole family to the Westerners.

There is both a movie and a photo from that night.

Do you understand what I mean?

No, I can't. I can't talk to Mr. Khadili about it.

He's using me for his own personal matters.

Your daughter is more important to you than me.

I don't want to talk to Mr. Khadili about it.

I don't want to talk to him.

I don't want to talk to Mr. Khadili about it.

Is your daughter more important or Barjam?

Do you know what kind of troubles they bring to her?

I know all of this, what are you talking about?

I'm not your daughter, don't you think you're worrying about my daughter?

She's my daughter!

Do something!

I'll show you the new rooms.

Bring your stuff right away.

Dario.

I'm sorry to have you here, but the rooms are frozen.

We'll really think we're in the North Pole.

Breathe. Breathe. Tell me.

So, the room of Porter and the room of Mr. Markov.

Okay, move Porter. I'll take care of the Iranians.

The Russians are for later.

We'll make sure that everyone finishes at night, as discreetly as possible.

Okay?

What is going on?

Are you putting our guards in other rooms?

Yes, Mr. Katibi, we're resolving the problem right now.

We are obviously being targeted.

I have to get to the bottom of this right now.

The breakdown has affected several delegations,

so you're not the only one.

We've moved your officers to another room until the problem is solved.

Absolutely not.

That's a complete breach of our security protocol.

They have to protect our engineer 24 hours a day.

I understand, Mr. Katibi, but it's 3 o'clock in the morning

and I'm trying to repair the air conditioning.

It's only for one night, okay?

And by the way, your officers can take turns to keep an eye on him.

And you can guarantee that?

Mr. Kati, we've attended to all your requests up until now, haven't we?

So, yes, you can trust me. You can go back to sleep.

You have one night. One.

Merci.

What's going on?

It's okay. It's okay.

The guards, where are they?

I messed up the air conditioning.

We moved them to different rooms.

We have time. Trust me.

Is your door locked?

Yes.

This is way too dangerous.

We're used to that now.

Okay.

It's cold over here.

Yeah.

Over here, it's hot.

It's written that we always meet in special places.

At least we have carpet here.

We're making progress.

remember those tiny rooms tiny and dirty

liar did you ever make love anywhere normal i mean uh in a bed with sheets

Yeah.

You and Joe.

You're afraid.

But I'm having to run.

Your first season's improving.

I'm having to run.

Keep talking.

I'm sorry.

I love you.

What?

You have to help me.

What about the passport?

It's impossible.

Why impossible?

Switzerland represents American interests in Iran.

You have power now.

We can't use it they'd never agree

Even for humanitarian reasons. I'll be jeopardizing the negotiations. You know that would you stop

your diplomatic talk?

I lost everything because of us everything

Is up Oh Jimmy, you know, how are you?

Not news on you

i cannot go back i cannot go back they're going to k*ll me i'm sorry i'm sorry

What are you doing here?

I'm very sorry.

I'm trying to fix this.

It's not working, but it'll be

resolved in the morning.

So, okay. Good night. I'm sorry.

Very sorry. Good night.

I'll be right back.

Well, you know the air in this room is very nice

Now please

I'm tired

Tell me

Didn't you see your dad by any chance?

From that night to the next?

What do you mean?

I saw him at the hotel

I didn't see him

Let's say he came to help you

Because he was very busy

Don't be so nervous.

I'm watching you, okay?

Okay.

My job is your security and Iran's.

I didn't expect you to be here.

Ms. Weiss is here.

Come in, sure.

Morning, madam.

so I had a somewhat restless night but good news I got the green light from the president

and uh we're dropping ballistics and we're imposing the presence of the IAEA on Iran

it's good news your idea was a big hit do you want me to discreetly transmit that information

to Minister Madawi?

Yes.

I'd like to know his position on the IAEA quickly.

Great.

As soon as I've talked to him,

I'll open a room for a one-on-one.

Yeah, sure.

Enjoy your breakfast.

Yeah.

Later?

Later.

Kevin?

What is it?

Come in.

Madam Undersecretary,

there's been an incident concerning your mother.

Sit down.

Ultra-nationalist Israeli activists

broke into your mother's apartment building.

The police were able to arrest some of them,

but two individuals tried to force her door open.

And my mother, how is she?

She was taken away by emergency services.

It seems she was extremely disoriented.

I'm sorry.

Where is she? I want to talk to her.

She's in the geriatrics unit of a secure clinic.

I believe she's under sedation.

I'm sorry to ask this now, ma'am,

but do you have any idea why they're targeting your mother in particular?

My mother has been a target for extremists all her life.

Only got worse when Netanyahu came into power.

She's a...

a liberal, a lawyer, a woman,

a left-wing activist with pro-Palestinian sympathies.

Everything they hate.

They're trying to reach me through her.

But they won't succeed.

We're stubborn as mules.

She and I.

Justin?

Yes?

Gather the press. We're having a conference. Now.

I'll notify Ms. Weiss.

No. No. Absolutely not.

Okay. Um, what's the narrative here?

The narrative is...

don't mess with me.

I'm not going to let you go. I'm going to let you go.

I'm going to let you go.

We will free all the girls.

I don't want a special class.

Uh, was that decision made in consultation with your allies?

I'm thinking Israel.

In exchange for renouncing ballistics,

we are demanding the permanent presence on Iranian soil

of the International Atomic Energy Agency

to monitor and control all Iranian nuclear sites.

Well, how is Iran responding to that?

Uh, Minister Mardavi is very open to the proposal,

and we await his full response.

The minister is really open to that proposal?

Absolutely.

What are you doing?

I haven't even relayed your proposal to the minister.

He's furious.

Well, you better put a pedal to the metal, then.

I don't have any more time to waste, Alexandra.

I'm setting my own tempo now.

If Madabi wants to talk to me...

I'm available.

you put a knife to my throat the permanent presence of the iaea a foreign institution

surveilling us is unprecedented would the united states allow 24 hour surveillance of their nuclear

sites iran will take this very badly not as badly as a massive bombing of your entire

infrastructure

by the israelis that is what i've just saved iran from i'm not bluffing the guards will do

everything in their power to prevent anyone from controlling these nuclear

sites you understand you tell them that you twisted my arm on ballistics and I

gave in it's a victory for you it's a victory

how's your daughter oh our intelligence people aren't bad

let's not play at that let's remain on a diplomatic level I'm not playing on the

On the contrary, I sincerely deplore her arrest.

But I also welcome this opposition from your young people.

I mean, who can blame them for demanding greater freedom,

especially the young women?

There is just not one way to live and think on this planet.

Iran is a very complex and sophisticated society.

Sure, but the desire for freedom is a universal aspiration.

Maybe your daughter is reminding you of that.

Maybe your daughter is trying to tell you that a country that cuts itself off from its

youth is a country without a future.

But you could embody that future, Minister.

You know, it's kind of frustrating, isn't it?

Because, you know, I feel I can't seal

the connection I might make with you

because, you know, we can't...

I'm not allowed to even shake your hand.

I don't want to let you go.

Hello?

It's me, Andrew.

Andrew Porter.

Yes.

How are you?

I'll tell you the truth.

Not great.

That girl from last night, what do you know about her?

Meaning?

Can she be trusted?

The Sphinx is a very chic club.

The hostesses are in a pick, but if there was a problem,

maybe I can help you.

Who are you?

I work for American interests, just like you.

Sorry, I have to go and check something with Professor Sanjavi.

I'll be back in a second.

Mr. Sanjavi, did my team inform you about the changes in program?

Because there's a press conference on ballistics.

Yes, I was informed.

I will do everything to get you a passport. I promise.

I was just about to work on that.

Okay, good. Thank you. Have a nice day.

You too.

You're betraying Iran with the acceptance of this city, Mr. Mahdavi.

I created the police for the Ministry of Defense.

I'm making sure the future of our country, the future of our children.

But what about you?

You put everyone in jail, even your own daughter, Mr. Katibi.

What are you talking about?

You don't know

What do you mean?

Yesterday, in a university conference, they arrested our girls

And took them to jail

Where are they now?

Where did they take them?

Where did they take them from Barcelona?

Evin

Yes, Evin

Your daughter's name is Anoush, isn't it?

I'm worried about her mother.

I've really tried to correct her.

But she doesn't want to talk to me anymore.

I know what you're going through.

Don't worry. I can free your daughter.

Just give me a word.

Let the agents do their job.

I'm loyal to my country.

My daughter should be responsible for her own choices.

If you're thinking about Averoot,

I'll free all the girls together.

So no one will know.

Amiri?

Should I take them out of prison?

One more thing.

What?

Forget about your father.

Do you agree?

I do.

You made the right decision.

Your daughter will be released tonight.

Ladies and gentlemen.

Welcome.

to our third press conference.

As you know, we're still in the process of negotiating,

but you'll be pleased to hear that we do have some information

to give you at this stage.

Minister, Madam Undersecretary, please.

Thank you.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you for your patience.

Although the road to an agreement remains a long one,

a very important step has been taken today.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has agreed

to the presence on its soil

of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

In exchange, the United States has agreed

to allow the Iranian ballistics program to continue.

Undersecretary of State.

Yeah, Natalie.

When can we expect the arrival of the IAEA to Iranian soil?

Well, I mean, that's impossible to say exactly, Natalie,

but once the agreement is made.

Yeah, I have a problem with my secure phone.

I stupidly dropped it in the shower,

and it won't turn on anymore.

Could you get me a new one?

Yeah, I'll take care of it.

Great, thanks.

Can you give me your old one back?

Well, of course, we have to.

Any agreement we make here has to be ratified.

Now?

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, sure.

I, uh, yeah, I got it right.

Um, thanks.

I, uh...

That's great.

Thanks.

Come on, come on.

What are you doing?

Are you asleep?

Yes, I'm asleep.

Are you tired?

Yes.

It's your right.

I'm very happy to hear your voice.

Why did you set me free? Why did you party?

I'm with my friends.

I'm going to see your performance again tonight.

My dear Laleh, listen to me. You can't go to the protests anymore.

I can't take you out of prison forever. Do you understand? Listen to me.

Who asked you to take me out of prison?

You don't know what kind of trouble they are bringing to you in prison.

Don't you understand?

The problem of this country is right here.

Everyone, even those who have the power, can't do anything for the people's army.

Everyone is like this.

Hello, sir.

We'll be right back.