Iran Deal Reached: Six Nations Cap Decade-Long Negotiations
In a move hailed by U.S. President Barack Obama in a Reuters article as a step toward a “more hopeful world,” the United States, Iran, the United Nations, and the European Union reached an agreement that would see currently imposed embargoes lifted in return for Iran providing concessions with regard to its nuclear program, which has long been speculated to be merely a front for the creation of weapons of mass destruction. Israel has issued strong condemnation of the deal. Obama had the following to say.
“This deal offers an opportunity to move in a new direction. We should seize it.”
Though widely expected to face Republican challenges in U.S. Congress, President Obama has vowed to veto any move to quash the deal. The deal is seen as a political victory for both Obama and Iran President Hassan Rouhani, whose population of millions has faced years of economic isolation and hardship. Obama has stated that he planned to “reach out” to America’s enemies since first running for office. Rouhani stated the following in regards to the deal.
“Today is the end to acts of tyranny against our nation and the start of cooperation with the world. This is a reciprocal deal. If they stick to it, we will. The Iranian nation has always observed its promises and treaties.”
Both Obama and Rouhani face opposition from conservative groups in their home countries. Republican presidential candidates Lindsay Graham and Rick Santorum lambasted the deal. The only hope of Republicans stopping a presidential veto would be to assemble a two-thirds majority in both houses to override him, something that is seen as unlikely. President Obama has been received broad support for his foreign policy from a majority of Democrats.
The deal will give average Iranian citizens access to products that they have long been denied. It is also hoped that the move toward normalizing relations and long term peace will increase travel between the two areas of the world.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been supportive of a deal between Iran, the United States, and the European Union. Putin also appears to claim to have influenced the proceedings, with the official Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs account tweeting as follows.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the deal, stating as follows.
“Iran will get a jackpot, a cash bonanza of hundreds of billions of dollars, which will enable it to continue to pursue its aggression and terror in the region and in the world. Iran is going to receive a sure path to nuclear weapons.”
Iran has agreed to what is being termed a “snapback” provision, whereby if the Iranian Government is found to be in violation of the deal, previous intervention will restart. Weapons and missile embargoes remain in place.
[Photos by Getty Pool and Sean Gallup / Getty Images]
