Iran, Trump softer: they disagree with agreement, we do not increase sanctions
President Trump wants to save the US face on the worst deal ever signed, as Trump himself calls it. National security advisers unanimously recommended Trump not certify Tehran's compliance with the agreement, but not ask Congress to impose new sanctions on the Islamic Republic, which could lead to the end of the agreement. Washington wants to work with Congress and European allies to put new pressure on Iran, according to the strategy developed by national security adviser, HR McMaster, and his team. A strategy which, however, envisages keeping the nuclear agreement signed by Barack Obama unchanged, at least for now. The importance of maintaining the agreement with Tehran was reiterated yesterday by the defense secretary, James Mattis, according to which to remain in the agreement, also agreed with other world powers, is in the interest of the United States. Congress asks the president to certify Iranian compliance with the agreement every 90 days and, according to international inspectors and top US military authorities, Tehran is meeting its commitments. Under the law, after the president's rejection, Congress has 60 days to decide whether to re-impose the sanctions repealed by the agreement. Trump is expected to announce his decision by early next week; then, the White House will pressure Republicans in Congress to prevent them from voting on imposing sanctions. In return, Trump promises to start a new campaign against Iran, specifically against its support for extremist groups, starting with Hezbollah. So far, Trump has certified compliance with the agreement in April and July.
Insights into the Agreement
Western countries have allowed progressive elimination of economic sanctions imposed on Iran over the last few years, while Iran has agreed to limit its nuclear program and allow periodic UN controls on its nuclear facilities (installations that Iran say they are used only to develop nuclear with civilian purposes, and not military as they accuse Western countries).
Here are the main points provided the agreement between Iran and the great powers signed the 14 July 2015 in Vienna.
- Iran will reduce its two-thirds uranium enrichment capacity. The enrichment plant will stop Fordow uranium;
- Low enrichment uranium stocks will be reduced to 300 chilli, which will be less than 96 per cent. This result will be obtained or diluted or dispatched part of the stock off the country;
- The nuclear reactor core of the Arak nuclear power plant will be removed, and will be designed so that it can not produce significant amounts of plutonium.
- Iran will allow inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (Aiea) to enter nuclear sites, including military ones, in the event that the UN suspects activities related to uranium enrichment. An independent commission will assess on a case-by-case basis and Iran will have three days to authorize. The inspectors will only be able to come from a country that has diplomatic relations with Iran.
- Once the International Atomic Energy Agency (Aiea) has verified that Iran has implemented the agreed nuclear plan, the United Nations, the United States and the European Union will lift the sanctions.
- Arms trade restrictions with Iran will remain in force until the 2020, those for missiles and ballistic technology up to the 2023.
If there were suspicions that Iran did not comply with nuclear agreements, a commission will try to resolve the issue within the next 30 days. If the commission fails to resolve the conflict, the competence would go to the UN Security Council. The veto of a permanent member of the Council would mean reintroducing sanctions.