22 july 2015
A leading Republican senator said Tuesday that he was confident Congress would reject a deal regarding Iran's nuclear program that was signed last week with world powers.
Sen. John McCain said the unknown part of the process was whether there would be enough votes in the chamber to override President Barack Obama's expected veto.
It is obvious that the 54 Republicans in the 100-member Senate will reject the deal, McCain said. The real question, he believes, is whether 13 Democrat senators will side with Republicans in order to cancel Obama's veto power.
Stressing that Iran would at some point acquire nuclear weapons, the forceful critic of the Obama administration's Syria policy said he was "deeply concerned about the ultimate result of this [the deal]."
"I predict now that it will be the nuclearisation of the Middle East."
McCain, who delivered his remarks while speaking at the Washington-based Hudson Institute think tank, also expressed concerns that Iran continues to "control Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen in the region", saying it was a "paradox" for the U.S. to support the Iran deal for safety in the region while leaving Iran to continue to sway influence in those countries.
"It seems to me that we are making a historic mistake," he said, echoing the words of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been also very critical of the deal.
In the case of "reputed violations" of the deal by Iran, the next U.S. president would be faced with a very difficult sense of circumstances, McCain said.
The crucial 60-day review period for lawmakers began Monday.
The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution Monday endorsing the deal that placed long-term curbs on Iran's nuclear program.
President Barack Obama said the approval of the deal by Council would help his push to gain congressional support.
Obama, who said he welcomed a "robust" debate about the agreement, has threatened to veto any legislation that undermines the accord. He needs the support of 34 of the 100 senators to maintain his veto and protect the deal.
Congress requires a two-thirds majority vote in the House and Senate to override a presidential veto.
Sen. John McCain said the unknown part of the process was whether there would be enough votes in the chamber to override President Barack Obama's expected veto.
It is obvious that the 54 Republicans in the 100-member Senate will reject the deal, McCain said. The real question, he believes, is whether 13 Democrat senators will side with Republicans in order to cancel Obama's veto power.
Stressing that Iran would at some point acquire nuclear weapons, the forceful critic of the Obama administration's Syria policy said he was "deeply concerned about the ultimate result of this [the deal]."
"I predict now that it will be the nuclearisation of the Middle East."
McCain, who delivered his remarks while speaking at the Washington-based Hudson Institute think tank, also expressed concerns that Iran continues to "control Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen in the region", saying it was a "paradox" for the U.S. to support the Iran deal for safety in the region while leaving Iran to continue to sway influence in those countries.
"It seems to me that we are making a historic mistake," he said, echoing the words of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been also very critical of the deal.
In the case of "reputed violations" of the deal by Iran, the next U.S. president would be faced with a very difficult sense of circumstances, McCain said.
The crucial 60-day review period for lawmakers began Monday.
The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution Monday endorsing the deal that placed long-term curbs on Iran's nuclear program.
President Barack Obama said the approval of the deal by Council would help his push to gain congressional support.
Obama, who said he welcomed a "robust" debate about the agreement, has threatened to veto any legislation that undermines the accord. He needs the support of 34 of the 100 senators to maintain his veto and protect the deal.
Congress requires a two-thirds majority vote in the House and Senate to override a presidential veto.
20 july 2015
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Days after the announcement of the Iran nuclear deal, I set out in West Jerusalem’s Yafo Street to find out what Israelis thought about the agreement. The range of responses reflected the continuous right-ward shift and the complete militarization of Jewish Israeli society against a backdrop of apathy.
No one expressed opposition to a military attack on Iran, and several demanded it. At least two people (seen in the video), called for elimination, saying “any threat on our country should be removed from the land,” and “eliminate them.” When one young man explained “Israel wants peace,” his friend who had called for removing the threat chided him as “the leftist between us.” In Israeli society, being called a leftist is typically a smear, and “death to |
Arabs” mobs hunted leftists last summer during the 51-day assault on Gaza.
One American/Israeli woman praised the agreement as “a huge breakthrough” and said “Israel really has not much to worry about it.” She then boasted, “I don’t have a side. Whenever I need to be on either side, I will be.”
I attempted to interview soldiers. However, they all refused to speak on camera because of military rules (these regulations are selectively enforced). Off camera, one soldier excitedly told me the military should invade Iran.
Two young men (who are featured in the video) speculated that a war against Iran is part of the biblical prophecy of Gog and Magog and the coming the messiah. One of them said he thinks the United States will join Iran in a war against Israel, and that will happen this summer.
Several of the people I interviewed saw the deal as weakening the relationship of the U.S. and Israel but two young men expressed indifference. “Protect yourself, is the only way,” one said. His friend added: “Don’t care what the world say– and do whatever is good for us.” While a third man of American-Israeli background said that Israel would continue to sabotage the Iranian program and kill Iranian scientists.
One American/Israeli woman praised the agreement as “a huge breakthrough” and said “Israel really has not much to worry about it.” She then boasted, “I don’t have a side. Whenever I need to be on either side, I will be.”
I attempted to interview soldiers. However, they all refused to speak on camera because of military rules (these regulations are selectively enforced). Off camera, one soldier excitedly told me the military should invade Iran.
Two young men (who are featured in the video) speculated that a war against Iran is part of the biblical prophecy of Gog and Magog and the coming the messiah. One of them said he thinks the United States will join Iran in a war against Israel, and that will happen this summer.
Several of the people I interviewed saw the deal as weakening the relationship of the U.S. and Israel but two young men expressed indifference. “Protect yourself, is the only way,” one said. His friend added: “Don’t care what the world say– and do whatever is good for us.” While a third man of American-Israeli background said that Israel would continue to sabotage the Iranian program and kill Iranian scientists.
German Finance Minister Sigmar Gabriel is scheduled to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and a number of Iranian ministers today
German Finance Minister Sigmar Gabriel arrived in Iran with an economic delegation on Sunday for three-day visit to revive economic cooperation between Germany and the Islamic Republic. Gabriel, who is also deputy to Chancellor Angela Merkel, said prior to the visit that Iran's nuclear agreement with the P5+1 represents the basis for normalising economic relations with Iran.
"To achieve this condition, we are currently performing the steps set forth in the agreement," he added.
Gabriel is scheduled to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and a number of Iranian ministers on Monday.
German economic circles hope to create new incentives for economic cooperation with Iran during Gabriel's visit to Tehran.
The president of Germany's Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Eric Schweitzer, told the German Press Agency DPA that Gabriel's visit is a "signal to encourage" German companies that have lost a lot of market shares in Iran over the past few years.
Schweitzer said Iran's nuclear agreement does not represent only an important turning point in political terms, but also in economic terms.
Under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear agreement, Iran will be prevented from developing a nuclear weapon in return for the gradual lifting economic sanctions.
The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry called on the government to take economically beneficial actions.
Schweitzer stressed the need to provide protection to any concluded deals in case Iran violated the nuclear agreement's terms.
"Such actions will give German corporations the necessary legal guarantee in order to return back to Iran," he added.
German Finance Minister Sigmar Gabriel arrived in Iran with an economic delegation on Sunday for three-day visit to revive economic cooperation between Germany and the Islamic Republic. Gabriel, who is also deputy to Chancellor Angela Merkel, said prior to the visit that Iran's nuclear agreement with the P5+1 represents the basis for normalising economic relations with Iran.
"To achieve this condition, we are currently performing the steps set forth in the agreement," he added.
Gabriel is scheduled to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and a number of Iranian ministers on Monday.
German economic circles hope to create new incentives for economic cooperation with Iran during Gabriel's visit to Tehran.
The president of Germany's Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Eric Schweitzer, told the German Press Agency DPA that Gabriel's visit is a "signal to encourage" German companies that have lost a lot of market shares in Iran over the past few years.
Schweitzer said Iran's nuclear agreement does not represent only an important turning point in political terms, but also in economic terms.
Under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear agreement, Iran will be prevented from developing a nuclear weapon in return for the gradual lifting economic sanctions.
The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry called on the government to take economically beneficial actions.
Schweitzer stressed the need to provide protection to any concluded deals in case Iran violated the nuclear agreement's terms.
"Such actions will give German corporations the necessary legal guarantee in order to return back to Iran," he added.
LIVE: Ash Carter meets with Defense Minister Ya'alon upon arrival in Israel, says visit meant to emphasize US has no limits on ability to increase Israel's security.
US Defense Secretary Ash Carter was warmly welcomed by his Israeli counterpart Monday on the first Cabinet-level US visit to the Jewish state since the Iran nuclear deal was announced.
The Pentagon chief met at Israel's defense headquarters with Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon and on Tuesday is to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has strongly criticized the Iran deal.
In a joint press conference held by the two defense chiefs, Carter said the US would do all it could to help Israel defend itself including continued funding for missile defense, joint training, and advanced equipment like the F-35, which Israel will receive before all other international partners next year.
Ya'alon said Israel "greatly disagrees" with the agreement reached with Iran on its nuclear program. But, he said, "The scope and depth of the relationship between the defense establishments of the United States and Israel is unprecedented – between the Pentagon and the Ministry of Defense, between our armed forces, intelligence corps and defense industries."
The Israeli defense forces held a standard welcoming ceremony for Carter upon his arrival in Israel. He then went into a closed meeting with Ya'alon. On his flight to Tel Aviv, Carter said he has no expectation of persuading Israeli leaders to drop their opposition to the Iran nuclear deal. But he said he'll emphasize that the accord imposes no limits on what Washington can do to ensure the security of Israel and US Arab allies.
Netanyahu has argued that the deal clears the way for Iran to build nuclear weapons that would threaten Israel's existence and ultimately diminish US and global security. Even as tensions between the US and Israel have grown over how to contain Iran's nuclear program has grown, the US-Israel defense relationship has deepened in recent years.
The US has invested hundreds of millions in an Israeli air defense system known as Iron Dome, designed to shoot down short-range rockets, mortars and artillery shells fired into northern Israel from southern Lebanon and into Israel's south from the Gaza Strip. The US has worked with Israel on anti-missile systems and a wide range of other defenses.
Two years ago the Pentagon committed to providing advanced radars for Israel's fleet of fighter jets and KC-135 refueling aircraft, and making Israel the first country to buy the V-22 Osprey hybrid airplane-helicopter.
US Defense Secretary Ash Carter was warmly welcomed by his Israeli counterpart Monday on the first Cabinet-level US visit to the Jewish state since the Iran nuclear deal was announced.
The Pentagon chief met at Israel's defense headquarters with Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon and on Tuesday is to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has strongly criticized the Iran deal.
In a joint press conference held by the two defense chiefs, Carter said the US would do all it could to help Israel defend itself including continued funding for missile defense, joint training, and advanced equipment like the F-35, which Israel will receive before all other international partners next year.
Ya'alon said Israel "greatly disagrees" with the agreement reached with Iran on its nuclear program. But, he said, "The scope and depth of the relationship between the defense establishments of the United States and Israel is unprecedented – between the Pentagon and the Ministry of Defense, between our armed forces, intelligence corps and defense industries."
The Israeli defense forces held a standard welcoming ceremony for Carter upon his arrival in Israel. He then went into a closed meeting with Ya'alon. On his flight to Tel Aviv, Carter said he has no expectation of persuading Israeli leaders to drop their opposition to the Iran nuclear deal. But he said he'll emphasize that the accord imposes no limits on what Washington can do to ensure the security of Israel and US Arab allies.
Netanyahu has argued that the deal clears the way for Iran to build nuclear weapons that would threaten Israel's existence and ultimately diminish US and global security. Even as tensions between the US and Israel have grown over how to contain Iran's nuclear program has grown, the US-Israel defense relationship has deepened in recent years.
The US has invested hundreds of millions in an Israeli air defense system known as Iron Dome, designed to shoot down short-range rockets, mortars and artillery shells fired into northern Israel from southern Lebanon and into Israel's south from the Gaza Strip. The US has worked with Israel on anti-missile systems and a wide range of other defenses.
Two years ago the Pentagon committed to providing advanced radars for Israel's fleet of fighter jets and KC-135 refueling aircraft, and making Israel the first country to buy the V-22 Osprey hybrid airplane-helicopter.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on US Congressmen to resist the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in order to "get a better deal" Al-Quds newspaper reported on Sunday. Speaking to American news network ABC, Netanyahu addressed US lawmakers, urging them not to "approve this bad deal... Resist in order to get a better deal." Netanyahu is giving numerous interviews with American TV stations with the aim of inciting Americans against the deal.
The US State Department sent the deal to Congress on Sunday. Lawmakers will have 60 days to review it and vote either for or against. US President Barack Obama has pledged to veto any potential Congress disapproval, meaning that only a two-thirds majority can prevent the deal going ahead.
Until a decision is made by Congress, Obama cannot ease the sanctions imposed on Tehran, part of the pledge agreed in the JCPOA.
The JCPOA, Netanyahu believes, does not prevent Iran from owning a nuclear bomb, but rather delays the possibility of the Iranians acquiring one. He believes that the deal, which lifts economic sanctions on Iran, would give Iran the chance to receive billions of dollars of funding and support that would enable it to produce the bomb (although this would be in direct violation of the deal and would cause the sanctions to immediately snap back in place).
Netanyahu says that he is obliged to speak frankly to mass media about the dangers facing the region and the world and that Israel would never feel safe if this deal was put in place.
Speaking to ABC, he said: "There was much talk about compensating Israel... If this deal is supposed to make Israel and our Arab neighbours safer, why should we be compensated with anything?"
He also added: "How can you compensate a country, my country, against a terrorist regime that is sworn to our destruction and is going to get a path to nuclear bombs and billions of dollars to boot for its terror activities against us?"
US Secretary of State John Kerry has defended the deal, telling CNN that if the US withdrawn from the JCPOA, they would never be allowed access to inspect Iranian nuclear plants. "The greatest fear regarding this region is that when there is no deal in this regard," he said.
Ironically, despite Netanyahu's protestations regarding Iran's alleged (and as yet un-proved) moves towards nuclear armament, Israel itself is one of only a handful of countries who have refused to sign up to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, and has an estimated 200 operational nuclear warheads. Israel also refuses inspection from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The US State Department sent the deal to Congress on Sunday. Lawmakers will have 60 days to review it and vote either for or against. US President Barack Obama has pledged to veto any potential Congress disapproval, meaning that only a two-thirds majority can prevent the deal going ahead.
Until a decision is made by Congress, Obama cannot ease the sanctions imposed on Tehran, part of the pledge agreed in the JCPOA.
The JCPOA, Netanyahu believes, does not prevent Iran from owning a nuclear bomb, but rather delays the possibility of the Iranians acquiring one. He believes that the deal, which lifts economic sanctions on Iran, would give Iran the chance to receive billions of dollars of funding and support that would enable it to produce the bomb (although this would be in direct violation of the deal and would cause the sanctions to immediately snap back in place).
Netanyahu says that he is obliged to speak frankly to mass media about the dangers facing the region and the world and that Israel would never feel safe if this deal was put in place.
Speaking to ABC, he said: "There was much talk about compensating Israel... If this deal is supposed to make Israel and our Arab neighbours safer, why should we be compensated with anything?"
He also added: "How can you compensate a country, my country, against a terrorist regime that is sworn to our destruction and is going to get a path to nuclear bombs and billions of dollars to boot for its terror activities against us?"
US Secretary of State John Kerry has defended the deal, telling CNN that if the US withdrawn from the JCPOA, they would never be allowed access to inspect Iranian nuclear plants. "The greatest fear regarding this region is that when there is no deal in this regard," he said.
Ironically, despite Netanyahu's protestations regarding Iran's alleged (and as yet un-proved) moves towards nuclear armament, Israel itself is one of only a handful of countries who have refused to sign up to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, and has an estimated 200 operational nuclear warheads. Israel also refuses inspection from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
19 july 2015
US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
US Defense Secretary Carter headed to Jerusalem for talks on ways the US can further improve Israel's security, but US officials say new weaponry won't be offered as compensation for the Iran deal.
In the face of Israeli outrage over the Iran nuclear accord, the US Secretary of Defense was scheduled to visit Israel on Sunday to reinforce arguably the strongest part of the US-Israeli relationship: Military cooperation.
Israel has expressed concern that US sales of advanced weaponry to Gulf Arab states has the potential of offsetting, to some degree, Israel's qualitative military edge. But officials say Washington has no plans to offer new weaponry as compensation for the Iran deal.
Aides said in advance of the trip that although Carter strongly supports the Iran deal, he had no intention of trying to reverse Israeli opposition to it. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denounced the deal as a mistake of historic proportion.
Carter is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, as well as with IDF generals, and visit troops in northern Israel. He also planned to stop in Jordan and Saudi Arabia, US allies, whose leaders also are worried about implications of the nuclear deal.
On the day the Iran accord was announced, Carter issued a statement saying the US is "prepared and postured" to help Israel improve its security, although he offered no specifics. He added that the US would "use the military option if necessary" to protect its allies, to "check Iranian malign influence" and to ensure freedom of navigation in the Gulf.
The US-Israel defense relationship has deepened in recent years, even as tensions between the two over how to contain Iran's nuclear program has grown.
The US has invested hundreds of millions in the Iron Dome air defense system, which is designed to shoot down short-range rockets, mortars and artillery shells fired from southern Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.
Just two months ago Washington announced a $1.9 billion arms sale to Israel for a range of missiles and bombs, including bunker busters that can penetrate reinforced defenses to reach underground targets. Not included is the Pentagon's biggest bunker buster bomb.
Israeli officials insist they are not prepared to discuss American "compensation" for the Iran deal, saying that would imply acceptance of the accord.
"Everybody talks about compensating Israel," Netanyahu said Sunday. "I guess the question you have to ask yourself is, if this deal is supposed to make Israel and our Arab neighbors safer, why should we be compensated with anything," he told ABC's "This Week."
"How can you compensate a country, my country, against a terrorist regime that is sworn to our destruction and is going to get a path to nuclear bombs and billions of dollars to boot for its terror activities," he said.
The US and Israel have been holding talks on renewing a 10-year defense pact set to expire in 2018. Under the current deal, Israel receives about $3 billion in military aid from the US each year. That number is likely to increase when the deal is renewed, and possibly before then.
Obama has indicated he is open to new ways of improving Israeli security, but he has played down the idea that ending economic penalties on Iran will drastically alter the balance of power in the region.
"Do we think that with the sanctions coming down, that Iran will have some additional resources for its military and for some of the activities in the region that are a threat to us and a threat to our allies? I think that is likelihood," Obama told a White House news conference on Wednesday. "Do I think it's a game-changer for them? No."
Obama's principal military adviser, Gen. Martin Dempsey, met with Netanyahu and Israeli military officials just last month. The Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman told reporters with him in Israel that once an Iran nuclear deal was struck, Israeli and US officials needed to "quickly and comprehensively" discuss the way ahead.
"It will be incumbent on both of us to make sure that we provide the kind of reassurances that the state of Israel has always counted on us to provide. But we are going to have to do the same thing with the Gulf allies," Dempsey said, alluding to deep concerns in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states that removing sanctions on Iran would make it a greater regional danger.
Dempsey said he understands why Israelis believe a nuclear deal will give Iran room to accelerate its funding of surrogate Shiite groups like Hezbollah.
"I share their concern," Dempsey said.
US Defense Secretary Carter headed to Jerusalem for talks on ways the US can further improve Israel's security, but US officials say new weaponry won't be offered as compensation for the Iran deal.
In the face of Israeli outrage over the Iran nuclear accord, the US Secretary of Defense was scheduled to visit Israel on Sunday to reinforce arguably the strongest part of the US-Israeli relationship: Military cooperation.
Israel has expressed concern that US sales of advanced weaponry to Gulf Arab states has the potential of offsetting, to some degree, Israel's qualitative military edge. But officials say Washington has no plans to offer new weaponry as compensation for the Iran deal.
Aides said in advance of the trip that although Carter strongly supports the Iran deal, he had no intention of trying to reverse Israeli opposition to it. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denounced the deal as a mistake of historic proportion.
Carter is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, as well as with IDF generals, and visit troops in northern Israel. He also planned to stop in Jordan and Saudi Arabia, US allies, whose leaders also are worried about implications of the nuclear deal.
On the day the Iran accord was announced, Carter issued a statement saying the US is "prepared and postured" to help Israel improve its security, although he offered no specifics. He added that the US would "use the military option if necessary" to protect its allies, to "check Iranian malign influence" and to ensure freedom of navigation in the Gulf.
The US-Israel defense relationship has deepened in recent years, even as tensions between the two over how to contain Iran's nuclear program has grown.
The US has invested hundreds of millions in the Iron Dome air defense system, which is designed to shoot down short-range rockets, mortars and artillery shells fired from southern Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.
Just two months ago Washington announced a $1.9 billion arms sale to Israel for a range of missiles and bombs, including bunker busters that can penetrate reinforced defenses to reach underground targets. Not included is the Pentagon's biggest bunker buster bomb.
Israeli officials insist they are not prepared to discuss American "compensation" for the Iran deal, saying that would imply acceptance of the accord.
"Everybody talks about compensating Israel," Netanyahu said Sunday. "I guess the question you have to ask yourself is, if this deal is supposed to make Israel and our Arab neighbors safer, why should we be compensated with anything," he told ABC's "This Week."
"How can you compensate a country, my country, against a terrorist regime that is sworn to our destruction and is going to get a path to nuclear bombs and billions of dollars to boot for its terror activities," he said.
The US and Israel have been holding talks on renewing a 10-year defense pact set to expire in 2018. Under the current deal, Israel receives about $3 billion in military aid from the US each year. That number is likely to increase when the deal is renewed, and possibly before then.
Obama has indicated he is open to new ways of improving Israeli security, but he has played down the idea that ending economic penalties on Iran will drastically alter the balance of power in the region.
"Do we think that with the sanctions coming down, that Iran will have some additional resources for its military and for some of the activities in the region that are a threat to us and a threat to our allies? I think that is likelihood," Obama told a White House news conference on Wednesday. "Do I think it's a game-changer for them? No."
Obama's principal military adviser, Gen. Martin Dempsey, met with Netanyahu and Israeli military officials just last month. The Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman told reporters with him in Israel that once an Iran nuclear deal was struck, Israeli and US officials needed to "quickly and comprehensively" discuss the way ahead.
"It will be incumbent on both of us to make sure that we provide the kind of reassurances that the state of Israel has always counted on us to provide. But we are going to have to do the same thing with the Gulf allies," Dempsey said, alluding to deep concerns in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states that removing sanctions on Iran would make it a greater regional danger.
Dempsey said he understands why Israelis believe a nuclear deal will give Iran room to accelerate its funding of surrogate Shiite groups like Hezbollah.
"I share their concern," Dempsey said.
18 july 2015
Ayatollah Khamenei added Iran will continue supporting its friends including Palestine, Yemen, Syria and Bahrain, and resistance groups in Lebanon and Palestine
Iran's policy towards the United States will not change after the nuclear agreement, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said in his first statement after the deal between Iran and the P5+1 group. According Iran's official news agency IRNA, Khamenei made the comments on Saturday after Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at Mosalla Prayers Ground.
"Whether the nuclear agreement is approved or not, Iran will not allow any misuse of the agreement," Khamenei said. "Now the question is how Iran can reach an agreement with the American government."
Khamenei added Iran will continue supporting its friends including Palestine, Yemen, Syria and Bahrain, and resistance groups in Lebanon and Palestine.
Last Tuesday, negotiators from Iran and the P5+1 group signed a final nuclear agreement in the Austrian capital of Vienna.
It brought to a close nearly two years of contentious talks that focused on providing Iran with much-needed sanctions relief in return for unprecedented curbs and inspections on its nuclear program.
Iran's policy towards the United States will not change after the nuclear agreement, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said in his first statement after the deal between Iran and the P5+1 group. According Iran's official news agency IRNA, Khamenei made the comments on Saturday after Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at Mosalla Prayers Ground.
"Whether the nuclear agreement is approved or not, Iran will not allow any misuse of the agreement," Khamenei said. "Now the question is how Iran can reach an agreement with the American government."
Khamenei added Iran will continue supporting its friends including Palestine, Yemen, Syria and Bahrain, and resistance groups in Lebanon and Palestine.
Last Tuesday, negotiators from Iran and the P5+1 group signed a final nuclear agreement in the Austrian capital of Vienna.
It brought to a close nearly two years of contentious talks that focused on providing Iran with much-needed sanctions relief in return for unprecedented curbs and inspections on its nuclear program.
17 july 2015
The UN Security Council is due to vote Monday a draft resolution endorsing a deal reached on Iran's nuclear program. The vote is scheduled to be held at 9 am (1300GMT) Monday, council president New Zealand's UN mission announced on Twitter on Thursday.
Opposition is considered unlikely, as the five council members that yield veto power were actively involved in the negotiations that led to the deal.
If adopted, the resolution aims to lift sanctions against Iran but will ensure that the measures immediately snap back should the country fail to comply with its commitments on its nuclear program.
A draft text of the resolution had been circulated to the council members Wednesday, according to US media.
The resolution will retain a UN arms embargo for five years and a ban on ballistic missiles for eight years.
Some restrictions on nuclear technology will also remain in place for a decade.
Iran and the P5+1 group of countries - China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany - signed a final agreement in Vienna on Tuesday, bringing to a close nearly two years of contentious talks that focused on providing Tehran with sanctions relief in return for unprecedented curbs and inspections on its nuclear program.
Under the deal, major economic sanctions could be lifted later this year if Tehran complies with the principal requirements in the agreement.
Opposition is considered unlikely, as the five council members that yield veto power were actively involved in the negotiations that led to the deal.
If adopted, the resolution aims to lift sanctions against Iran but will ensure that the measures immediately snap back should the country fail to comply with its commitments on its nuclear program.
A draft text of the resolution had been circulated to the council members Wednesday, according to US media.
The resolution will retain a UN arms embargo for five years and a ban on ballistic missiles for eight years.
Some restrictions on nuclear technology will also remain in place for a decade.
Iran and the P5+1 group of countries - China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany - signed a final agreement in Vienna on Tuesday, bringing to a close nearly two years of contentious talks that focused on providing Tehran with sanctions relief in return for unprecedented curbs and inspections on its nuclear program.
Under the deal, major economic sanctions could be lifted later this year if Tehran complies with the principal requirements in the agreement.
15 july 2015
US president says PM will not succeed in using Congress to defeat the deal; Kerry: Israel 'is safer' thanks to agreement, noting critics of deal 'never offer a realistic alternative'.
US President Barack Obama on Tuesday defended the agreement reached with Iran over its nuclear program, making it clear that the purpose of the deal was simply to prevent the Islamic Republic from attaining nuclear weapons – not to curb its global power.
Congress still needs to sign off on the deal, which could result in a fierce battle in the legislature. In an exclusive New York Times interview, Obama said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “perhaps thinks he can further influence the congressional debate" but that he was confident the agreement would be approved.
"But after that’s done, if that’s what he thinks is appropriate, then I will sit down, as we have consistently throughout my administration, and then ask some very practical questions: How do we prevent Hezbollah from acquiring more sophisticated weapons? How do we build on the success of Iron Dome, which the United States worked with Israel to develop and has saved Israeli lives?
"In the same way I’m having conversation with the gulf countries about how do we have a more effective interdiction policy, how do we build more effective governance structures and military structures in Sunni areas that have essentially become a void that (the Islamic State) has filled or that, in some cases, Iranian activities can exploit?”
The White House on Tuesday announced that Obama would send Defense Secretary Ash Carter to the Middle East next week. The only confirmed stop on the trip was Israel, although officials said Carter would also visit other countries in the region.
US Secretary of State John Kerry lashed out at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday night, saying the Israeli leader's claims about the deal were "way over the top."
"This is under attack by people who really don't know the terms of the agreement," Kerry told NBC News. "What the critics of this plan never offer... is a realistic alternative," he said, displaying evident frustration. "It's wrong for people to think this doesn't have long-term accountability."
Netanyahu dubbed the agreement a "stunning historic mistake," saying the world was now a "much more dangerous place" as a result. Kerry rejected these comments, saying, Netanyahu "said the same thing about the interim agreement, and he was wrong.
The fact is that he's been practically making comments that are way over the top. He doesn't even know what the concessions are that we have not engaged in, because we haven't made concessions." "Israel is safer," the top American diplomat determined.
Under the deal, sanctions imposed by the United States, European Union and United Nations will be lifted in return for Iran agreeing long-term curbs on a nuclear program that the West has suspected was aimed at creating a nuclear bomb.
Iran will mothball for at least a decade the majority of its centrifuges used to enrich uranium and sharply reduce its low-enriched uranium stockpile.
US President Barack Obama hailed the deal as a step toward a "more hopeful world."
"This deal offers an opportunity to move in a new direction," Obama said. "We should seize it."
Obama called Netanyahu on Tuesday, telling him that the Iran nuclear deal won't lessen US concerns about Iran's support for terrorism and its threats toward Israel.
Obama reiterated that the deal, in his view, will prevent Iran from becoming nuclear-armed, which is of interest to both the US and Israel, and said a planned visit to Israel next week by US Defense Secretary Ash Carter is a reflection of the high level of security cooperation between the two allies.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier also criticized Israel's opposition to the deal. "This is a responsible deal and Israel should also take a closer look at it and not criticize the agreement in a very coarse way," Steinmeier told German broadcaster ARD in an interview.
Steinmeier said the basis for the agreement was transparency and the ability to monitor Iran's compliance. "In the agreement, Iran has to commit to these monitoring possibilities. And we will make sure that the monitoring possibilities are also observed after this deal," he said.
US President Barack Obama on Tuesday defended the agreement reached with Iran over its nuclear program, making it clear that the purpose of the deal was simply to prevent the Islamic Republic from attaining nuclear weapons – not to curb its global power.
Congress still needs to sign off on the deal, which could result in a fierce battle in the legislature. In an exclusive New York Times interview, Obama said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “perhaps thinks he can further influence the congressional debate" but that he was confident the agreement would be approved.
"But after that’s done, if that’s what he thinks is appropriate, then I will sit down, as we have consistently throughout my administration, and then ask some very practical questions: How do we prevent Hezbollah from acquiring more sophisticated weapons? How do we build on the success of Iron Dome, which the United States worked with Israel to develop and has saved Israeli lives?
"In the same way I’m having conversation with the gulf countries about how do we have a more effective interdiction policy, how do we build more effective governance structures and military structures in Sunni areas that have essentially become a void that (the Islamic State) has filled or that, in some cases, Iranian activities can exploit?”
The White House on Tuesday announced that Obama would send Defense Secretary Ash Carter to the Middle East next week. The only confirmed stop on the trip was Israel, although officials said Carter would also visit other countries in the region.
US Secretary of State John Kerry lashed out at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday night, saying the Israeli leader's claims about the deal were "way over the top."
"This is under attack by people who really don't know the terms of the agreement," Kerry told NBC News. "What the critics of this plan never offer... is a realistic alternative," he said, displaying evident frustration. "It's wrong for people to think this doesn't have long-term accountability."
Netanyahu dubbed the agreement a "stunning historic mistake," saying the world was now a "much more dangerous place" as a result. Kerry rejected these comments, saying, Netanyahu "said the same thing about the interim agreement, and he was wrong.
The fact is that he's been practically making comments that are way over the top. He doesn't even know what the concessions are that we have not engaged in, because we haven't made concessions." "Israel is safer," the top American diplomat determined.
Under the deal, sanctions imposed by the United States, European Union and United Nations will be lifted in return for Iran agreeing long-term curbs on a nuclear program that the West has suspected was aimed at creating a nuclear bomb.
Iran will mothball for at least a decade the majority of its centrifuges used to enrich uranium and sharply reduce its low-enriched uranium stockpile.
US President Barack Obama hailed the deal as a step toward a "more hopeful world."
"This deal offers an opportunity to move in a new direction," Obama said. "We should seize it."
Obama called Netanyahu on Tuesday, telling him that the Iran nuclear deal won't lessen US concerns about Iran's support for terrorism and its threats toward Israel.
Obama reiterated that the deal, in his view, will prevent Iran from becoming nuclear-armed, which is of interest to both the US and Israel, and said a planned visit to Israel next week by US Defense Secretary Ash Carter is a reflection of the high level of security cooperation between the two allies.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier also criticized Israel's opposition to the deal. "This is a responsible deal and Israel should also take a closer look at it and not criticize the agreement in a very coarse way," Steinmeier told German broadcaster ARD in an interview.
Steinmeier said the basis for the agreement was transparency and the ability to monitor Iran's compliance. "In the agreement, Iran has to commit to these monitoring possibilities. And we will make sure that the monitoring possibilities are also observed after this deal," he said.
With only partial access to military sites and a 24 days warning period prior to inspections, Iran can continue to realize its nuclear ambitions unimpeded; world powers conceded on many of their main concerns during the negotiations.
Many Iranians rushed onto the streets of Tehran on Tuesday night to celebrate what they see as a great victory - an agreement on the country's nuclear program that would leave Iran a significant portion of its capabilities and remove the sanctions that are choking its economy.
1,500 km away, officials in Jerusalem are warning that the agreement will preserve Iran's nuclear capabilities, while making effective supervision very difficult. An Israeli government official said Tuesday evening that "According to the agreement, Iran can be warned up to 24 days before being visited by inspectors. It's as if police who want to raid a drug lab would give the criminals 24 days warning – it is inconceivable."
Iran, the official explained, will receive $500-700 billion over the next 15 years that will consolidate the ayatollahs' rule.
"It can be said with certainty that the money will be transferred to support terrorism and other proxy states. Iran can use the money within Iran itself to enforce its uncompromising rule. The money will not serve human rights or economic development that will lead to economic welfare, on the contrary. It will not lead to the government being replaced, but rather the opposite. The regime will only be strengthened," the official said. "The economic boost that Iran will get it will be used mainly to consolidate its aggressive and terrorist capacity in the area."
"We will fight this agreement until we have nothing left to fight with. This agreement is as we had feared, a bad one, not good for Israel and the region," he went on to say.
The Israeli official noted that the agreement might slow down Iran's nuclear activities but Tehran retains the ability to realize its goals and plans.
"We are convinced that Iran has not abandoned its strategic intention of acquiring nuclear weapons. There is no need to go back in time concerning what Iran wants to do accomplish in the region. Just this Friday it called for our destruction. They must be taken them seriously," the official said.
"This is a nation determined to establish a foothold in our region through ongoing terrorism. Until now, there have been economic limits to its activity outside Iran. I do not expect Iran to abandon its strategic vision and as proof this agreement has an expiry date. What will happen in 8 years? They are not obligated to the years that follow, and since their aspirations remain, we think we shall encounter Iran and its nuclear ambitions, which are likely to become a reality," said the official.
Concessions made by world powers
The official presented the starting points which the powers gave up on during the negotiations:
Iran's achievements in the agreement
"This allows Iran to drag its feel. It's not like we thought, that the world powers or the IAEA tells Tehran 'I want to get to neighborhood X, building Y, in a given date two-three days from the time of request,'" the Israel official explains. "The agreement allows Iran to get a notice of up to 24 days before the inspectors' visit. Imagine that Iran has a secret military project at a basement or in an apartment. From the moment the request is made by world powers, Iran has 24 days to clean up the site until inspectors arrive. The known sites will have IAEA supervision measures and cameras. But if you want to steal - you'll do it at an unrecognized site, and then Iran has a 24 days notice," the official went on to say.
Iran can also continue accumulating knowledge and abilities through civilian nuclear cooperation. "The obstacle to unlimited cooperation has been removed. Iran is recognized in its return to the international community and the community of nations," the official said.
Many Iranians rushed onto the streets of Tehran on Tuesday night to celebrate what they see as a great victory - an agreement on the country's nuclear program that would leave Iran a significant portion of its capabilities and remove the sanctions that are choking its economy.
1,500 km away, officials in Jerusalem are warning that the agreement will preserve Iran's nuclear capabilities, while making effective supervision very difficult. An Israeli government official said Tuesday evening that "According to the agreement, Iran can be warned up to 24 days before being visited by inspectors. It's as if police who want to raid a drug lab would give the criminals 24 days warning – it is inconceivable."
Iran, the official explained, will receive $500-700 billion over the next 15 years that will consolidate the ayatollahs' rule.
"It can be said with certainty that the money will be transferred to support terrorism and other proxy states. Iran can use the money within Iran itself to enforce its uncompromising rule. The money will not serve human rights or economic development that will lead to economic welfare, on the contrary. It will not lead to the government being replaced, but rather the opposite. The regime will only be strengthened," the official said. "The economic boost that Iran will get it will be used mainly to consolidate its aggressive and terrorist capacity in the area."
"We will fight this agreement until we have nothing left to fight with. This agreement is as we had feared, a bad one, not good for Israel and the region," he went on to say.
The Israeli official noted that the agreement might slow down Iran's nuclear activities but Tehran retains the ability to realize its goals and plans.
"We are convinced that Iran has not abandoned its strategic intention of acquiring nuclear weapons. There is no need to go back in time concerning what Iran wants to do accomplish in the region. Just this Friday it called for our destruction. They must be taken them seriously," the official said.
"This is a nation determined to establish a foothold in our region through ongoing terrorism. Until now, there have been economic limits to its activity outside Iran. I do not expect Iran to abandon its strategic vision and as proof this agreement has an expiry date. What will happen in 8 years? They are not obligated to the years that follow, and since their aspirations remain, we think we shall encounter Iran and its nuclear ambitions, which are likely to become a reality," said the official.
Concessions made by world powers
The official presented the starting points which the powers gave up on during the negotiations:
- No recognition of Iran's right to enrichment in light of past abuses.
- Iran does not need an underground facility and a fortress facility at Fordow.
- Research and development: The powers said that Iran does not need enriched centrifuges.
- Supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency must be firm and immediate.
- Israel has received more than once clear statements that the "breakout time" between fissile material at a low level of enrichment and fissile material at a high enrichment level needed for a first bomb, would be measured in years.
- Israel requested and was promised, even by the IAEA, that Iran will have to confess and to put all the information about its military nuclear program on the table.
- The Arak heavy water reactor: The powers unequivocally made it clear that Iran does not need a heavy-water reactor for a civilian nuclear program.
Iran's achievements in the agreement
- Iran received international recognition of its right to enrich uranium. It is allowed to have up to 300 kg of enriched-uranium in its stockpiles, even though it has no civilian use for this amount of material.
- Iran received international recognition of all of its nuclear facilities, including the underground facility in Fordow. The deal does not require Tehran to dismantle or seal any of the sites, nor freeze activity in any of the sites.
- The deal enables Iran to keep 5,600 centrifuges in the bunkers in Natanz, with a thousand more that will remain online in the bunker in Fordow. One third of these centrifuges can enrich radioisotopes.
- Iran is allowed to continue its research and development (R&D) of all advanced models of centrifuges. It will be able to develop centrifuges that are 20-25 times faster than what it currently has, which will affect the breakout time when it decides to produce a nuclear bomb.
- The deal frees Iran of the obligation to confess past issues regarding its military program.
- The deal does not mention Iran's surface-to-surface missiles project.
"This allows Iran to drag its feel. It's not like we thought, that the world powers or the IAEA tells Tehran 'I want to get to neighborhood X, building Y, in a given date two-three days from the time of request,'" the Israel official explains. "The agreement allows Iran to get a notice of up to 24 days before the inspectors' visit. Imagine that Iran has a secret military project at a basement or in an apartment. From the moment the request is made by world powers, Iran has 24 days to clean up the site until inspectors arrive. The known sites will have IAEA supervision measures and cameras. But if you want to steal - you'll do it at an unrecognized site, and then Iran has a 24 days notice," the official went on to say.
Iran can also continue accumulating knowledge and abilities through civilian nuclear cooperation. "The obstacle to unlimited cooperation has been removed. Iran is recognized in its return to the international community and the community of nations," the official said.
