Time to close deal with Iran
An agreement with Iran would be a win, if not a breakthrough, for US interests and allies in the Middle East. (Updated)
A first-step agreement on Iran’s nuclear program is within reach when talks resume in Geneva on Nov. 20.
Closing the present deal with Iran represents a potential breakthrough not only for addressing Iran’s nuclear program, but also for a political solution in Syria, with the potential for a wider discussion of regional security in the Middle East.
The draft text that the five permanent members of the UN Security Coucil plus Germany (P5+1) presented to Iran on Nov. 9 would cover six months while a final deal is negotiated. The contents of this first-step agreement reportedly include increased inspections and monitoring of Iran’s nuclear facilities; new limits on enrichment, including suspension of enrichment at the 20% level; and a freeze on centrifuges and dual assembly development at the Arak heavy-water reactor, all in return for less than $10 billion in sanctions relief, which means unfreezing some Iranian assets held in banks abroad and waivers on sanctions on auto sales, petrochemicals and precious metals, as Laura Rozen writes this week.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been campaigning against the proposed deal, arguing that it gives up too much in sanctions relief and does too little to slow Iran’s nuclear program. As Ben Caspit points out, Netanyahu’s opposition to a deal with Iran is in part reflective of a general Israeli wariness about Iran’s intentions. Many members of Congress share Netanyahu’s skepticism and have joined him in calling for more sanctions on Iran. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI), chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, told Al-Monitor this week that given the worries of Israel, Saudi Arabia and other allies, it is "too early” for an agreement and “with another round of sanctions, we’ll get something that is meaningful.”
