Exactly how bad is the Iranian nuke deal?

2015-04-03T13:06:17-04:00

From "The Washington Times"

Obama, allies hail Iran nuclear deal as critics slam concessions

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/apr/2/obama-allies-hail-iran-nuclear-deal-as-critics-sla/?page=1

President Obama and other world leaders on Thursday hailed what they said was a breakthrough accord setting the stage for a historic agreement that will prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, even though Iran will be allowed to enrich uranium under the agreement and the schedule for easing international sanctions remains to be negotiated.

After 12 years of deadlock over Iran’s disputed nuclear activities — and a sleepless marathon of negotiations in Switzerland over the past week — Iranian and Western diplomats said the final terms of a 15-year phased deal will be hammered out and signed by all sides this summer.

An ebullient Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s top negotiator, hailed the agreement reached in Lausanne as a “win-win” for both sides.

In Washington, Mr. Obama said that “if this framework leads to a comprehensive deal, it will make our country, our allies and our world safer.”

Even as critics on Capitol Hill and Israel pointed out shortcomings and omissions in the deal, Mr. Obama told reporters in the White House Rose Garden that Iran agreed to dramatically limit the scope of its nuclear program and committed to “the most robust and intrusive inspections and transparency regime ever negotiated for any nuclear program in history.”

“It is a good deal, a deal that meets our core objectives,” the president said.

Obama, allies hail Iran nuclear deal as critics slam concessions

President Obama and other world leaders on Thursday hailed what they said was a breakthrough accord setting the stage for a historic agreement that will prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, even though Iran will be allowed to enrich uranium under the agreement and the schedule for easing international sanctions remains to be negotiated.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2015 9:17 PM

2015-04-03T21:17:43-04:00

I vote that it's potentially a good thing, sir, but I was reminded - on CNN of all places - that North Korea has made promises like these in the past and they are now likely a nuclear power, at least in their geographic region.

I also heard the White House Press Secretary (Josh Earnest) reassure Wolf Blitzer (and the American public) that Congress has an important role to play in the sanctions arena. Mr. Earnest said that there will be no free passes -- If Iran does not do what is promised, Congress will not lift the crippling sanctions, so Iran is motivated to do what has been promised.

In yet another sound bite, I heard Prime Minister Netanyahu claim that this deal "paves the way" for Iran to develop a nuclear weapon.

I think the truth is in the middle of all of the sound bites, and for me that means this deal is potentially a good thing.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Apr 4 at 2015 8:32 AM

2015-04-04T08:32:09-04:00

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/saudi-king-give-cautious-nod-to-iran-nuclear-deal/2015/04/03/aeb04901-e608-4735-8bf3-4dfd71c4c74d_story.html?hpid=z1

Iran nuclear pact stirs hope — and fear — of new political order in Mideast

As Iranian officials celebrated the deal, Saudi Arabia’s king gave it a cautious nod and Israel dug in.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Apr 4 at 2015 9:17 AM

2015-04-04T09:17:38-04:00

Iranians dancing in the streets, celebrating victory tell the story. They have made no concessions. They are the beneficiaries of President Obama's failed Administration and his attempt to cobble together some sort of legacy.

Now, before someone attempts to rebut my central premise - "...President Obama's failed Administration..." - name one achievement and back it up with verifiable data.

Sadly, I expect Congress to cave on this one as they have on all other failures.

Terrorists with nuclear weapons.

God help us and the US...

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2015 12:16 PM

2015-04-04T12:16:55-04:00

Positive step. I think it shows that our economic sanctions were effective and we were able to force Iran to the bargaining table.

Response by SPC Angel Guma made Apr 4 at 2015 12:58 PM

2015-04-04T12:58:01-04:00

What stick are we willing to enforce the bargain with? Military options have been put on the table ostensibly, but there's nothing credible there to actually put real force on the table.

The real worrying thing about this for me is, if and when the Iranians uproot this current ruling elite, will they be replaced with moderates or more buffoons? And would anyone be safe while this is occurring and they have nuclear infrastructure. This deal only works insofar as we know who we are dealing with. To be honest, the government in Iran only speaks for a tiny clique. What do the rest of the Iranians really think or believe? We are assuming the ones we are dealing with are still going to be the ones calling the shots into the future, and that's a highly dangerous presumption.

Response by SPC David S. made Apr 4 at 2015 4:19 PM

2015-04-04T16:19:07-04:00

I look at this event much like that of The Munich Agreement. I have no doubt that history will regarded this deal as a failed act of appeasement toward Iran. This deal is the precursor in Iran becoming a nuclear power. I don't see anywhere in our history books where a state that has been repressed by outside influence act in a benevolent way towards those responsible for the repression. One has to remember this is also where the Islamic Revolution was born when they ran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi out of Iran. Scheduled lifting of sanctions and granting the development of a nuclear program has the makings for retaliation.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2015 4:32 AM

2015-04-05T04:32:42-04:00

How can we possibly trust Iran's leadership. And since we will more then likely never know the full details who the heck knows. Hopefully our Sunni allies Saudi Arabia, Egypt won't think we abandon them and have sided with Iran and the Shiites. Oh what a web we weave!

Response by SGT Francis Wright made Apr 5 at 2015 2:01 PM

2015-04-05T14:01:39-04:00

How, could they even discuss lifting sanctions without first discussing what they did in 1979 to our people and our embassy? That's why the sanctions exist. If they are not going to hold Iran accountable for their past behavior; what makes our leadership think they are going to follow the rules now? I guarantee you if we do not hold their feet to the fire, they will burn us again.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2015 2:23 PM

2015-04-05T14:23:10-04:00

Old (insert name) went to town, riding on a pony, put a feather in his cap and called it "an arms deal."

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 23 at 2015 1:26 AM

2015-05-23T01:26:22-04:00