The ink is barely dry on this agreement and the debate around the world has begun as to whether this deal legitimately helps reign in the Iranian nuclear program or whether it’s worth the paper it’s printed it.
Report from the Washington Post:
Iran and six major powers agreed early Sunday on a historic deal that freezes key parts of Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for temporary relief on some economic sanctions.
The agreement, sealed at a 3 a.m. signing ceremony in Geneva’s Palace of Nations, requires Iran to halt or scale back parts of its nuclear infrastructure, the first such pause in more than a decade.
…
The deal, intended as a first step toward a more comprehensive nuclear pact to be completed in six months, freezes or reverses progress at all of Iran’s major nuclear facilities, according to Western officials familiar with the details. It halts the installation of new centrifuges used to enrich uranium and caps the amount and type of enriched uranium that Iran is allowed to produce.
Iran also agreed to halt work on key components of a heavy-water reactor that could someday provide Iran with a source of plutonium. In addition, Iran accepted a dramatic increase in oversight, including daily monitoring by international nuclear inspectors, the officials said.
The concessions not only halt Iran’s nuclear advances but also make it virtually impossible for Tehran to build a nuclear weapon without being detected, the officials said. In return, Iran will receive modest relief of trade sanctions and access to some of its frozen currency accounts overseas, concessions said to be valued at less than $7 billion over the six-month term of the deal. The sanctions would be reinstated if Iran violates the agreement’s terms.
Not long after the accord was reached, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said the deal recognizes Tehran’s “right” to maintain an enrichment program.
Many politicians, including prominent Democrats such as Senator Chuck Schumer, have voiced skepticism. Report from CBS New York:
Schumer, D-N.Y., said he’s disappointed in the agreement “because it does not seem proportional.”
“Iran simply freezes its nuclear capabilities while we reduce the sanctions,” Schumer told reporters, including WCBS 880?s Monica Miller. “That is not a proportionate agreement.”
Schumer said he feels the agreement gives the Iranians hope that they will evetually produce a nuclear weapon.
“The disproportionality of this agreement makes it more likely that Democrats and Republicans will join together and pass additional sanctions when we return in December,” Schumer added. “I intend to discuss that possibility with my colleagues.”
Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y., said he, too, is “extremely skeptical” of the agreement.
The deal is fairly complex as is the entire situation of handling the Iranian nuclear program. CNN has a breakdown of the agreement in bullet-point form available here if you’d like to familiarize yourself before commenting.
What do you make of this deal? Did the United states sell out Israel or is this a legitimate step forward for “peace in the Middle East?” Keep in mind, Iran is continuing with a nuclear enrichment program but at a slower rate and in a different manner.
Alternate question: Was this timed to switch the news cycle from Obamacare to something else in time for Thanksgiving dinner discussions?
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