Iran Nuke Deal, your thoughts?

SPC Larry Buck — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 15:46:38 -0400

Hey,

I'm Ben Rhodes, a Deputy National Security Advisor to President Obama. For the past few years, I've been working closely with America's negotiating team, which was tasked with finding a way to achieve a diplomatic resolution that prevents Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Last week, after two years of tough negotiations, our team along with our international partners achieved just that.

It's a historic deal. It blocks every possible pathway Iran could use to build a bomb while verifying -- through a comprehensive inspections and transparency regime -- that Iran's nuclear program remains exclusively peaceful.

The deal is called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and it's important that everyone here and around the world understands exactly what's in it and how it'll work.

That's why we launched @TheIranDeal -- a Twitter account that is dedicated to delivering the facts and answering your questions about the deal and how it enhances American national security. Follow along now.

There are already a lot of myths, misinformation, and falsehoods out there about what this deal will do and what it means for the future of our national security. This is a strong deal, with significant constraints on Iran's nuclear program, and unprecedented access to Iranian nuclear facilities -- including 24/7, continuous monitoring.

And make no mistake, without this deal, we won't have those constraints and we won't have that access. That's why President Obama has warned that without this deal, we risk another conflict in the Middle East.

So make sure you have all the facts about the Iran Deal, and send your questions our way on Twitter.

We're ready to set the record straight about how we are successfully preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon -- a crucial part of creating a safer, more secure world.

Thanks, and stay tuned for more.

Ben Rhodes
Deputy National Security Advisor
The White House
@Rhodes44

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Jul 21 at 2015 3:52 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 15:52:10 -0400

Total waste of time and a gateway to an arms race in the Mid East.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Jul 21 at 2015 4:13 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 16:13:42 -0400

I think yes – it is a good thing. I say this as someone who hopes for a more “normal” relation with Iran. I am NO FAN of theocratic regimes. But my hope is that Iranians adopt more “liberal democratic” ideas that are pervasive across the Internet. Not that I am holding out hopes traditional Islamic nation NOT CURRENTLY SOME enjoying democratic ideals (say Jordan for one) are going to change. It is a step in the right direction.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Jul 21 at 2015 5:30 PM

MSgt James Mullis — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 17:30:15 -0400

The deal reminds me of how we have been naming US laws recently. As in give it a name that claims the opposite of what it will actually do: as in the "No Child Left Behind" law really meant a worse education for all US children and the "Affordable Care Act" actually raised the cost of healthcare for everyone. The "Iran Nuclear Deal" is just the same, it creates a clear path for Iran to begin building its own nuclear weapons. It also lets the worlds number one sponsor of terrorism increase its GDP by 50%. The ink isn't even dry and Khamenei has already declared Iran's continued support for the rebels in Yemen, Palestine, Syria, and Iraq. Oh, and he followed his speech with chants of "death to America” and “death to Israel.” Only a fool would believe this deal will end well.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jul 21 at 2015 5:32 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 17:32:37 -0400

If the Iranians actually comply with the terms of the deal, then it may go down in history as a diplomatic coup. The problem is ensuring that Iran actually honestly complies.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 22 at 2015 5:40 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 05:40:59 -0400

About Time. The Leading Diplomat on the Mission started the Process in 2006. How long do you have a "Cold War" of sorts with a Country before you reap the benefits of your Economic Sanctions. Of Course the Far Right in Iran and the Far Right Here will make it sound bad so they can shore up their image as Anti Whatever but this is a long time in the coming. Unfortunately for folks that did like I did for Several Years it will still be more of the same. Sitting just outside their Territorial Waters making sure that they are abiding by the Process. Like someone once said "Trust but Verify".

Response by COL Korey Jackson made Jul 22 at 2015 5:53 PM

COL Korey Jackson — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 17:53:03 -0400

SPC Larry Bucks, thank you for pointing us to the #IranDeal Twitter account.
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel - you are right that the United States, and the international nonproliferation community, have been working on this for many years, to bring Iran fully back into compliance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). And - thank you for your service in the region. Your work contributed to overall efforts ensuring Iran has not already obtained nuclear weapons capabilities.
Of course, as in most international agreements, there will be some give and take along the margins of the agreement to come to a common understanding of what it entails.
I am sure most of us on the American side are somewhat displeased with the requirement for 24 days advance notice before inspections, but artfully and skillfully applied, the IAEA inspection process should be effective. Unfortunately, my understanding is that Iran will not accept any Americans on the IAEA inspection teams (inspectors must be from countries with diplomatic relations with Iran), but that prohibition is not unprecedented. Is that one more reason to establish diplomatic relations with Iran?
For those of us on the receiving end, and who endured Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty inspections from 1987 to 2001; and the intrusiveness of Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) inspections through the 1990's: I do not envy the Iranian military with the task to open up their military sites for inspection.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 6:49 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 18:49:20 -0400

It's kinda late getting in on this, but I think the only reasons Iran is willing to even talk to the US about their nuclear program is A) They want our money. B) They want the sanctions lifted. and most of all C) They already have enough uranium to create bombs NOW. They have been living with sanctions since the seventy's and they have always broke previous agreements.