Context:
A recent address by Israeli PM Netanyahu confirmed what the world has known for 10 years: that Iran suspended a portion of their nuclear weapons program. That program was a major reason the current nuclear deal was struck in the first place, and why its verification provisions are the most intrusive in the history of arms control agreements.
In the News:
“In a televised appearance on Monday, he presented images of thousands of nuclear-related documents stolen from Iran by Mossad, the Israeli intelligence service, along with a giant poster proclaiming “Iran lied.” He argued that the documents proved Iranian leaders were deceptive when they insisted their nuclear program was for peaceful purposes. It didn’t matter that the data simply reinforced what the world has long known: Iran lied about its program and hid it for years. In fact, Mr. Netanyahu confirmed what American intelligence agencies revealed in 2007: Iran had suspended the active portion of a nuclear weapons program in 2003″.
“That program, along with related activities that continued after 2003, is a major reason the nuclear deal was struck in the first place and why its verification provisions are the most intrusive of any arms control agreement. It also explains why those provisions need to be retained, not jettisoned. Mr. Netanyahu did not provide any evidence that Iran had violated the deal since it took effect in early 2016. The International Atomic Energy Agency, which monitors the deal, has repeatedly judged Iran to be in compliance with its commitments, as have top American security officials. Many of Israel’s past and present military and intelligence leaders also say the deal is effective and should be kept in force”.
Insight from Peace Science:
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – commonly referred to us the Iran Nuclear Deal – is a multilateral agreement between Iran and the P5+1 (the U.S., U.K., France, Russia, China plus Germany), along with the European Union. Its primary objective is preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The deal should be examined through the lens of this objective.
Our interpretation of the JCPOA is based on expertise in constructive conflict transformation, nuclear non-proliferation, sanctions, and the many analyses by experts worldwide. It is our clear assessment that the deal reduces the threat of an Iranian nuclear bomb while greatly increasing the global community’s ability to monitor Iran’s nuclear program.
The key takeaways of the JCPOA are:
- This agreement blocks Iran from producing the fissile materials required to create a nuclear weapon.
- The deal contains the most intrusive and stringent inspections regime ever negotiated.
- Walking away from the deal will sabotage the negotiations and shut down the entire diplomatic process.
- Walking away from the deal will destroy any chance of re-imposing international sanctions.
- A ruined deal will embolden Iran’s radical leaders.
- The deal has a broad base of support by the majority of Americans and Iranians, U.S. allies, key scientists, military leaders, faith leaders, and national security experts (including key Israelis).
- The deal stands on principles of multilateral, negotiated agreements based on oversight and control, not trust.
- The deal is an opportunity to challenge the dysfunctional military-solution paradigm.
- The deal makes the U.S. and Israel more secure by reducing the risk of a nuclear armed Iran.
- It is in Iran’s self-interest to honor the deal.
- The deal is superior to all alternatives, and implementation of the deal will prevent another devastating war in the Middle East.
References:
- Netanyahu’s Flimflam on Iran. By the Editorial Board of the New York Times. May 1, 2018.
- Iran Deal Analysis- Diplomacy is the Alternative to War. By Patrick Hiller, Tom Hastings, & David Cortright. 2015.
