For weeks the Intramuralist has resisted commenting extensively on the Iranian nuclear talks. The challenge is that I feel my perspective is very limited; granted, my perspective is most likely, comparably limited on multiple other topics that I feel far more comfortable commenting on, but this one seems different; it seems weightier… sobering. It’s also seemingly so hard to discern what is good and true and right.
The implications of negotiating with Iran are potentially huge, and too many people are attempting to talk us into simply adopting partisan opinion. The way I look at the possibility of Iran being able to create nuclear weapons, I see zero partisanship. In other words, my voter registration card should give no indication into the wisdom or foolishness inherent in dealing with a nation historically awashed in hostility.
The bottom line question is: will the negotiations deter nuclear development?
Great question. Hard to answer. Hence, what do we know for certain?
- The deal is unfinished. Significant details are being negotiated by a set deadline of June 30.
- Since Iran signed an agreement in November of 2013, it has been harder for them to produce weapons-grade nuclear material.
- Iran has still continued to engage in activities that could lead to the production of nuclear weapons material in the future.
- There remains ample concern about broader aspects of a nuclear weapons program, such as weapons design and missile development by Iran.
- While the International Atomic Energy Agency reports no violations with the previous agreement, Iran has been working on a new kind of centrifuge, which “while not a formal violation, contradicts the United States’ understanding of the deal.” [Politifact]
- Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khameni, who will oversee implementation of the new agreement, has expressed continued, ongoing hostility toward both Israel and the U.S.
- Since the tentative deal last week, U.S. and Iranian officials have broadcast significantly different perspectives of the agreement to their citizens.
- Specifically, Tehran’s foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zari disputed a “fact sheet” released by the U.S. immediately following the tentative agreement, that referred to current sanctions being suspended rather than lifted.
- The deal would allow Iran to use advanced centrifuges after 10 years.
- The Obama administration is claiming that a nuclear deal with Iran is the best way to keep track of Iran’s nuclear activity.
- Pres. Obama has been framing the debate over an Iran nuclear deal as a choice between his strategy or war. [U.S. News & World Report]
- Congress has not been included in the deal making, as the deal has been negotiated by the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany.
- There is bipartisan opposition in Congress — especially to bypassing Congress with such a deal — with Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) telling The Washington Post this week, “I do think they [Obama and his team] have some work to do to recognize that congressional oversight is appropriate.”
- Israel is opposed to the deal.
- Influential Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer (NY) has also stated the Obama administration should not bypass Congress. Said the liberal senator, “I strongly believe Congress should have the right to disapprove any agreement.”
- The administration is now actively lobbying individual congressmen to craft no new legislation regarding sanctions or negotiations with Iran at this time.
- And… as shared at the onset of this post, pundits and politicians continue to attempt to get the watching public to simply adopt a perceived partisan opinion.
This is not a partisan issue. This affects what is wise for the entire world. I wish I knew what the best answer was. I wish I trusted Pres. Obama more — and the motives of each and every congressmen. I also wish the inherent wisdom of the deal was as easy to decipher as an indication on my voter I.D. card.
Respectfully…
AR
[Note: primary sources leaned on for this post were CNN, The Hill, Politifact, Reuters, U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post.]