Julie Bishop: Iran to share secret intelligence with Australia in fight against Islamic State
April 20, 2015 - 12:26AM SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop in Tehran, after meeting with Iran's president Hassan Rouhani. Photo: Andrew Meares
Iran will take the extraordinary step of sharing with Australia secret intelligence gathered by its operatives fighting Islamic State extremists in Iraq.
Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop revealed the co-operation after a meeting with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, during which she said he described Islamic State as the "most significant global threat at present".
Intelligence sharing with Iran - which would have been unthinkable during the years the country was branded part of the "axis of evil" - has also become more likely as optimism grows that Iran, the US and world powers will strike a grand bargain to ensure the Islamic Republic will not build a nuclear weapon.
Ms Bishop wrapped up the first visit to Tehran by an Australian minister in more than a decade on Sunday by declaring confidence that a nuclear deal was within reach.
And she said countries such as Israel - which has been sharply critical of the nuclear talks with Iran - should be satisfied.
Ms Bishop revealed Australia first made unofficial overtures to begin intelligence sharing with Iran last October, soon after accepting the invitation to visit Tehran.
But she said the push became more urgent in December after Iranian refugee Man Haron Monis took hostages in the Sydney cafe siege and it later became clear Iran had wanted him as a "criminal".
She said intelligence sharing with Iran would have major benefits, including to track Australians who have joined Islamic State, also known as Daesh.
"They are very present in Iraq. The [Iranian] Revolutionary Guard is on the ground, they are working with the security forces. They are carrying out operations in Tikrit and elsewhere, they are all over the place," Ms Bishop said.
Ms Bishop agreed the intelligence sharing was extraordinary and said she believed Iran had much to offer, including about the senior role of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the former regime of Saddam Hussein.
Iran and Australia will also work together on de-radicalisation efforts to counter the allure of extremist propaganda.
Ms Bishop was also at pains to stress Australia's limited role for troops in Iraq did not extend to combat.
"Iran is determined to use their resources and energy and efforts to defeat Daesh," Ms Bishop said. "They see Daesh as the most significant global threat at present, that was the way Rouhani put it to me.
"I see practical outcomes in months ahead. I see that our intelligence agencies will have an opportunity to work much more closely."
Ms Bishop met President Rouhani and other key members of the Iranian leadership during the 36-hour visit and said there was strong confidence for a nuclear deal.
"I'm operating on the basis that there is such momentum on both sides that a positive outcome will be reached," she said.
"I think there is genuine regret the relationship with the United States has deteriorated to the extent that it did and has remained so for such a long time. They all have personal recollections of studying in the US, of better times. I found those insights quite telling."
She said she would share perspectives on Iran with Israel but did not expect the growing closeness to Tehran would complicate Australia's ties with Israel.
"My sense is that Israel is waiting to see the detail of the final agreement," she said.
She said Iran had the largest Jewish community in the Middle East outside Israel, with about 20,000 Jews in the country.
"It is a very different perspective that you get here," she said.
The potential stumbling block to a nuclear deal is the attitude of the US Congress, but the rapprochement in recent months has seen US and Iran officials dealing more closely than at any time since Iran's 1979 revolution.
Ms Bishop said she was pleased Iran had also agreed to send officials to Australia for talks on returning Iranian asylum seekers deemed not to be refugees.
And she said criticism of her decision to wear a headscarf in Tehran was unwarranted.
"My view is this is our first visit in 12 years, I don't want it to be our last. So If somebody asks me to wear a headscarf in order to met the President, I'll wear a headscarf. We want to come back again.
"For those who think that our discussion on returns has failed, we've just opened the dialogue."
She said she won assurances from Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif that failed asylum seekers would not be mistreated on return.
April 20, 2015 - 12:26AM SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
Iran will take the extraordinary step of sharing with Australia secret intelligence gathered by its operatives fighting Islamic State extremists in Iraq.
Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop revealed the co-operation after a meeting with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, during which she said he described Islamic State as the "most significant global threat at present".
Intelligence sharing with Iran - which would have been unthinkable during the years the country was branded part of the "axis of evil" - has also become more likely as optimism grows that Iran, the US and world powers will strike a grand bargain to ensure the Islamic Republic will not build a nuclear weapon.
Ms Bishop wrapped up the first visit to Tehran by an Australian minister in more than a decade on Sunday by declaring confidence that a nuclear deal was within reach.
And she said countries such as Israel - which has been sharply critical of the nuclear talks with Iran - should be satisfied.
Ms Bishop revealed Australia first made unofficial overtures to begin intelligence sharing with Iran last October, soon after accepting the invitation to visit Tehran.
But she said the push became more urgent in December after Iranian refugee Man Haron Monis took hostages in the Sydney cafe siege and it later became clear Iran had wanted him as a "criminal".
She said intelligence sharing with Iran would have major benefits, including to track Australians who have joined Islamic State, also known as Daesh.
"They are very present in Iraq. The [Iranian] Revolutionary Guard is on the ground, they are working with the security forces. They are carrying out operations in Tikrit and elsewhere, they are all over the place," Ms Bishop said.
Ms Bishop agreed the intelligence sharing was extraordinary and said she believed Iran had much to offer, including about the senior role of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the former regime of Saddam Hussein.
Iran and Australia will also work together on de-radicalisation efforts to counter the allure of extremist propaganda.
Ms Bishop was also at pains to stress Australia's limited role for troops in Iraq did not extend to combat.
"Iran is determined to use their resources and energy and efforts to defeat Daesh," Ms Bishop said. "They see Daesh as the most significant global threat at present, that was the way Rouhani put it to me.
"I see practical outcomes in months ahead. I see that our intelligence agencies will have an opportunity to work much more closely."
Ms Bishop met President Rouhani and other key members of the Iranian leadership during the 36-hour visit and said there was strong confidence for a nuclear deal.
"I'm operating on the basis that there is such momentum on both sides that a positive outcome will be reached," she said.
"I think there is genuine regret the relationship with the United States has deteriorated to the extent that it did and has remained so for such a long time. They all have personal recollections of studying in the US, of better times. I found those insights quite telling."
She said she would share perspectives on Iran with Israel but did not expect the growing closeness to Tehran would complicate Australia's ties with Israel.
"My sense is that Israel is waiting to see the detail of the final agreement," she said.
She said Iran had the largest Jewish community in the Middle East outside Israel, with about 20,000 Jews in the country.
"It is a very different perspective that you get here," she said.
The potential stumbling block to a nuclear deal is the attitude of the US Congress, but the rapprochement in recent months has seen US and Iran officials dealing more closely than at any time since Iran's 1979 revolution.
Ms Bishop said she was pleased Iran had also agreed to send officials to Australia for talks on returning Iranian asylum seekers deemed not to be refugees.
And she said criticism of her decision to wear a headscarf in Tehran was unwarranted.
"My view is this is our first visit in 12 years, I don't want it to be our last. So If somebody asks me to wear a headscarf in order to met the President, I'll wear a headscarf. We want to come back again.
"For those who think that our discussion on returns has failed, we've just opened the dialogue."
She said she won assurances from Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif that failed asylum seekers would not be mistreated on return.
[h=1]Billboards in Iran Say ‘Death to America,’ but Officials Say ‘Let’s Make a Deal’[/h]By THOMAS ERDBRINKAPRIL 19, 2015 THE NEW YORK TIMES.
TEHRAN — Wearing business suits set off with sneakers, the American executives trailed a young guide along the narrow sidewalks of the capital of Iran, once branded by the United States as part of the “Axis of Evil.”
Their destination was one of Tehran’s most luxurious restaurants, where Iranian officials and business consultants greeted the visitors with open arms and the Pharrell Williams song “Happy” blasted from the sound system.
“Everybody loves us here,” said Ned Lamont, a digital services entrepreneur and former politician, holding a glass of carrot juice offered by one of his hosts.
Just as the Obama administration and Congress were wrangling over details of a nuclear agreement with Iran last week, the group of 24 executives were touring the country on a fact-finding mission.
Of course, the organizers rushed to explain, this was by no means a business delegation.
“We are tourists,” said Dick Simon, a co-founder of the Young Presidents’ Organization, a network of business executives. “But naturally many in our company have the potential of getting involved here, as they lead some very significant businesses,” he said, referring to his fellow travelers.
American companies are barred from doing business in Iran, which remains under a regimen of sanctions aimed at pressuring the country to curtail its nuclear program. The sanctions, which cover financial transactions as well as a host of industries like petroleum and shipping, have put a stranglehold on the Iranian economy, which is struggling with inflation and shortages of food and consumer goods.
With the United States and Iran currently negotiating a nuclear deal under which those sanctions would eventually be lifted, some American companies are now hoping for new business opportunities in a country that has long been off limits.
The visit to Iran by the American group, which included venture capitalists and business executives from a range of industries, including real estate, health care and insurance, was organized by individual members of the Young Presidents’ Organization. Last week’s trip was the group’s third to the Islamic republic.
“There was a waiting list. The prospect of a changing Iran is very interesting,” Mr. Simon said.
At the function Thursday night, the delegates sat at tables decorated with cards marked with topics of conversation: “Real Estate,” “Diplomacy,” “Luxury” and “ICT,” for information and communications technology. The women in the group wore head scarves, as is obligatory in Iran.
“I should be at ‘ICT,’ I think,” said Mr. Lamont, whose Connecticut-based company provides video and data services to college campuses, “but I think the ‘Diplomacy’ table will be more interesting for now.”
Mr. Lamont and the others in the group arrived in Tehran last week after touring ancient sites near Shiraz, a city in the south, under the watchful eyes of government minders.
“They don’t want us to get in any sorts of trouble, or have an incident, but we have been mostly free to go around,” said Mr. Lamont, who like other members of the group was bubbling with enthusiasm over the hospitality of their Iranian hosts.
In the Shiite holy city of Qum, the group sat down with a reform-minded ayatollah who told them that Iran was on the verge of major change.
“I asked, what about the ‘Death to America’ slogan?” Mr. Lamont said, referring to the phrase that appears on many banners across the country and has long been shouted at public demonstrations. But the cleric responded that the slogan was from a different era. “He told us, ‘This is the new Iran,’ ” Mr. Lamont said. “Such messages are hopeful and different.”
At the restaurant on Thursday, Cyrus Razzaghi, a prominent Iranian business consultant, and other speakers extolled the potential of the Iranian economy for adventurous American investors.
“In the end these are not normal tourists of course, they are wealthy, powerful and influential Americans,” Mr. Razzaghi said. “Besides from giving them a taste of Iranian culture, I felt they would also be interested in Iran’s huge market.”
Iran’s deputy minister of telecommunications, Nasrollah Jahangard, peppered the audience with statistics, saying Iran was one of the most connected countries in the region.
“The number of smartphones is expected to be doubled to 40 million on a population of nearly 80 million,” he said. “We have 3G running and 4G networks under development; we are moving forward fast,” Mr. Jahangard said in English.
His words seemed to pique the interest of some of the executives. Christopher Schroeder, a venture capitalist, said he saw some promise in the country’s technology sector. “I have met with young women who are running Iran’s versions of Amazon and Groupon. They could really get somewhere in the future.”
However, it was clear from the questions about the economy and the influence of hard-liners that many obstacles remain.
“When I look out of that window,” said Richard Cohen, a New York-based real estate developer, pointing at the Tehran skyline, “I see 18 cranes. Only one is working. I have never seen so many unfinished high-rises in my life. What does that symbolize?”
Since 1995, sanctions have barred Americans from doing business in Iran, where a substantial middle class represents a potentially lucrative market for foreign companies. Hopes that the nuclear framework agreement made on April 2 might lead to a broader deal by the end of June have raised expectations of an opening of the Iranian market. Still, most companies are waiting for a final deal before seriously considering investing here.
“Fact is, now we are not even allowed to,” Mr. Simon said.
Despite the recent talks between Iran and the United States and the prospect of better relations, Iran’s revolutionary ardor was still visible.
In Shiraz, at the tomb of King Cyrus, a major tourist destination, the group passed a billboard bearing a quote by Iran’s first supreme leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
“The world should know that all Iran and Muslims’ problems are due to the politics of aliens and of the USA. Muslims generally hate aliens and specially the USA,” it reads in English.
The executives, however, said they were struck by the warm reception they had received in Iran.
“All in all it seems to me the Iranians really want to reconnect with the world,” said Jennifer Adams Baldock, a former executive in the printing industry. “They want to move on.”
TEHRAN — Wearing business suits set off with sneakers, the American executives trailed a young guide along the narrow sidewalks of the capital of Iran, once branded by the United States as part of the “Axis of Evil.”
Their destination was one of Tehran’s most luxurious restaurants, where Iranian officials and business consultants greeted the visitors with open arms and the Pharrell Williams song “Happy” blasted from the sound system.
“Everybody loves us here,” said Ned Lamont, a digital services entrepreneur and former politician, holding a glass of carrot juice offered by one of his hosts.
Just as the Obama administration and Congress were wrangling over details of a nuclear agreement with Iran last week, the group of 24 executives were touring the country on a fact-finding mission.
Of course, the organizers rushed to explain, this was by no means a business delegation.
“We are tourists,” said Dick Simon, a co-founder of the Young Presidents’ Organization, a network of business executives. “But naturally many in our company have the potential of getting involved here, as they lead some very significant businesses,” he said, referring to his fellow travelers.
American companies are barred from doing business in Iran, which remains under a regimen of sanctions aimed at pressuring the country to curtail its nuclear program. The sanctions, which cover financial transactions as well as a host of industries like petroleum and shipping, have put a stranglehold on the Iranian economy, which is struggling with inflation and shortages of food and consumer goods.
With the United States and Iran currently negotiating a nuclear deal under which those sanctions would eventually be lifted, some American companies are now hoping for new business opportunities in a country that has long been off limits.
The visit to Iran by the American group, which included venture capitalists and business executives from a range of industries, including real estate, health care and insurance, was organized by individual members of the Young Presidents’ Organization. Last week’s trip was the group’s third to the Islamic republic.
“There was a waiting list. The prospect of a changing Iran is very interesting,” Mr. Simon said.
At the function Thursday night, the delegates sat at tables decorated with cards marked with topics of conversation: “Real Estate,” “Diplomacy,” “Luxury” and “ICT,” for information and communications technology. The women in the group wore head scarves, as is obligatory in Iran.
“I should be at ‘ICT,’ I think,” said Mr. Lamont, whose Connecticut-based company provides video and data services to college campuses, “but I think the ‘Diplomacy’ table will be more interesting for now.”
Mr. Lamont and the others in the group arrived in Tehran last week after touring ancient sites near Shiraz, a city in the south, under the watchful eyes of government minders.
“They don’t want us to get in any sorts of trouble, or have an incident, but we have been mostly free to go around,” said Mr. Lamont, who like other members of the group was bubbling with enthusiasm over the hospitality of their Iranian hosts.
In the Shiite holy city of Qum, the group sat down with a reform-minded ayatollah who told them that Iran was on the verge of major change.
“I asked, what about the ‘Death to America’ slogan?” Mr. Lamont said, referring to the phrase that appears on many banners across the country and has long been shouted at public demonstrations. But the cleric responded that the slogan was from a different era. “He told us, ‘This is the new Iran,’ ” Mr. Lamont said. “Such messages are hopeful and different.”
At the restaurant on Thursday, Cyrus Razzaghi, a prominent Iranian business consultant, and other speakers extolled the potential of the Iranian economy for adventurous American investors.
“In the end these are not normal tourists of course, they are wealthy, powerful and influential Americans,” Mr. Razzaghi said. “Besides from giving them a taste of Iranian culture, I felt they would also be interested in Iran’s huge market.”
Iran’s deputy minister of telecommunications, Nasrollah Jahangard, peppered the audience with statistics, saying Iran was one of the most connected countries in the region.
“The number of smartphones is expected to be doubled to 40 million on a population of nearly 80 million,” he said. “We have 3G running and 4G networks under development; we are moving forward fast,” Mr. Jahangard said in English.
His words seemed to pique the interest of some of the executives. Christopher Schroeder, a venture capitalist, said he saw some promise in the country’s technology sector. “I have met with young women who are running Iran’s versions of Amazon and Groupon. They could really get somewhere in the future.”
However, it was clear from the questions about the economy and the influence of hard-liners that many obstacles remain.
“When I look out of that window,” said Richard Cohen, a New York-based real estate developer, pointing at the Tehran skyline, “I see 18 cranes. Only one is working. I have never seen so many unfinished high-rises in my life. What does that symbolize?”
Since 1995, sanctions have barred Americans from doing business in Iran, where a substantial middle class represents a potentially lucrative market for foreign companies. Hopes that the nuclear framework agreement made on April 2 might lead to a broader deal by the end of June have raised expectations of an opening of the Iranian market. Still, most companies are waiting for a final deal before seriously considering investing here.
“Fact is, now we are not even allowed to,” Mr. Simon said.
Despite the recent talks between Iran and the United States and the prospect of better relations, Iran’s revolutionary ardor was still visible.
In Shiraz, at the tomb of King Cyrus, a major tourist destination, the group passed a billboard bearing a quote by Iran’s first supreme leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
“The world should know that all Iran and Muslims’ problems are due to the politics of aliens and of the USA. Muslims generally hate aliens and specially the USA,” it reads in English.
The executives, however, said they were struck by the warm reception they had received in Iran.
“All in all it seems to me the Iranians really want to reconnect with the world,” said Jennifer Adams Baldock, a former executive in the printing industry. “They want to move on.”
[h=1]Supreme Leader Denies Iran Seeking Nuclear Weapons[/h][h=2]Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says Israel, U.S. are the real threats to the Middle East[/h]
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL By ASA FITCH By
ARESU EQBALI
Updated April 19, 2015 6:34 p.m. ET
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivering a speech to military commanders in Tehran. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGES
DUBAI—Iran’s supreme leader said it is a myth that his country is trying to develop nuclear weapons, and he accused the U.S. and Israel of posing the real threat to security in the Middle East.
In remarks Sunday to mark Iran’s annual Army Day, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei exhorted troops to increase their defensive preparedness and said his country was constantly under threat of military action and wasn’t even given ample scope to defend itself.
“They fabricated the nuclear weapon myth to say that the Islamic Republic is a threat,” Mr. Khamenei said, according to his official website. “No! The threat is the U.S.,” he said, accusing Washington of interfering and fomenting insecurity. The U.S. and Israel both act without any checks and “meddle in any place they find necessary,” he said.
There was no immediate U.S. comment.
Mr. Khamenei often rails against the U.S. and Israel, and hasn't stopped even after Iran and six world powers reached a framework agreement on a nuclear deal this month.
“The other side rudely threatens us with military action constantly,” Mr. Khamenei said. “And it goes further, saying the Islamic Republic shouldn’t have defensive capability.”
After the framework agreement, Russia lifted a self-imposed ban on the delivery of the S-300 missile-defense system to Iran. If installed, its presence would complicate any effort to strike Iranian nuclear facilities.
Western countries have long alleged that Iran’s nuclear activities are aimed at producing a weapon. Iran has always insisted its activities are for peaceful purposes.
The deal, which faces a June 30 deadline to finalize, is a foreign-policy priority for President Barack Obama. It would constrain Iran’s nuclear activities and subject them to international oversight. In exchange, economic sanctions imposed by the U.S., European Union and United Nations would be eased.
Mr. Khamenei, who has final say over most matters of state in Iran, introduced two new red lines on April 9, saying Iran wouldn’t allow inspections of military sites and insisting that all sanctions must be removed immediately after the final accord is signed.
Under the framework agreement, Iran would have to shut down thousands of uranium-enrichment centrifuges and convert some enrichment facilities into research centers, according to the U.S. government.
Enriching uranium is a process that can be used to make fuel for either nuclear energy or nuclear weapons. Since the framework was agreed, important differences have emerged between Iran and the U.S. in interpreting the terms.
The U.S. and the other powers in the talks—China, France, Germany, Russia and the U.K.—are unlikely to accept a deal that prohibits inspections of military sites, as some of the country’s key nuclear facilities are located on current or former military bases.
The U.S. also has insisted that sanctions only would be withdrawn in stages and would be snap back into effect if Iran doesn’t comply with its obligations under the deal.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL By ASA FITCH By
ARESU EQBALI
Updated April 19, 2015 6:34 p.m. ET
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivering a speech to military commanders in Tehran. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGES
DUBAI—Iran’s supreme leader said it is a myth that his country is trying to develop nuclear weapons, and he accused the U.S. and Israel of posing the real threat to security in the Middle East.
In remarks Sunday to mark Iran’s annual Army Day, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei exhorted troops to increase their defensive preparedness and said his country was constantly under threat of military action and wasn’t even given ample scope to defend itself.
“They fabricated the nuclear weapon myth to say that the Islamic Republic is a threat,” Mr. Khamenei said, according to his official website. “No! The threat is the U.S.,” he said, accusing Washington of interfering and fomenting insecurity. The U.S. and Israel both act without any checks and “meddle in any place they find necessary,” he said.
There was no immediate U.S. comment.
Mr. Khamenei often rails against the U.S. and Israel, and hasn't stopped even after Iran and six world powers reached a framework agreement on a nuclear deal this month.
“The other side rudely threatens us with military action constantly,” Mr. Khamenei said. “And it goes further, saying the Islamic Republic shouldn’t have defensive capability.”
After the framework agreement, Russia lifted a self-imposed ban on the delivery of the S-300 missile-defense system to Iran. If installed, its presence would complicate any effort to strike Iranian nuclear facilities.
Western countries have long alleged that Iran’s nuclear activities are aimed at producing a weapon. Iran has always insisted its activities are for peaceful purposes.
The deal, which faces a June 30 deadline to finalize, is a foreign-policy priority for President Barack Obama. It would constrain Iran’s nuclear activities and subject them to international oversight. In exchange, economic sanctions imposed by the U.S., European Union and United Nations would be eased.
Mr. Khamenei, who has final say over most matters of state in Iran, introduced two new red lines on April 9, saying Iran wouldn’t allow inspections of military sites and insisting that all sanctions must be removed immediately after the final accord is signed.
Under the framework agreement, Iran would have to shut down thousands of uranium-enrichment centrifuges and convert some enrichment facilities into research centers, according to the U.S. government.
Enriching uranium is a process that can be used to make fuel for either nuclear energy or nuclear weapons. Since the framework was agreed, important differences have emerged between Iran and the U.S. in interpreting the terms.
The U.S. and the other powers in the talks—China, France, Germany, Russia and the U.K.—are unlikely to accept a deal that prohibits inspections of military sites, as some of the country’s key nuclear facilities are located on current or former military bases.
The U.S. also has insisted that sanctions only would be withdrawn in stages and would be snap back into effect if Iran doesn’t comply with its obligations under the deal.
“We do not want to speak about not reaching an agreement; agreement is what everyone needs; of course the 5+1 group needs this agreement more than us,” Rouhani told reporters in Iran on Thursday.
LOL. Ya okay Hassan, can you be a bit more specific?... And IF there is no benefit for Iran to end the sanctions, then why are you chaps even at the table?
. Good grief.the sanctions would have greater effect IF other nations would play along. Unfortunately planet earth has another nation that carries JUST AS MUCH economic weight as USA. And it appears China doesn't take to orders from others,
. So fucking Iran has China to lean on; their largest trading partner. Without China this chap's moxie would likely disappear............White House Won't Require Iran to Release Americans As Part of Nuclear Deal
http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiep...rican-marine-as-part-of-nuclear-deal-n1987811
http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiep...rican-marine-as-part-of-nuclear-deal-n1987811
[h=2]State Department Won’t Rule Out $50 Billion ‘Signing Bonus’ For Iran[/h]Largest cash infusion to terror regime in recent memory, experts say
EMAIL
BY: Adam Kredo
April 20, 2015 2:20 pm
The State Department on Monday would not rule out giving Iran up to $50 billion as a so-called “signing bonus” for agreeing to a nuclear deal later this year, according to comments made to journalists following reports that the Obama administration had formulated a plan to release tens of billions of frozen Iranian funds.
Experts have said this multi-billion dollar “signing bonus” option, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, could be the largest cash infusion to a terror-backing regime in recent memory.
A cash release of $30 to $50 billion upon reaching a final nuclear agreement would come in addition to the more than $11 billion in unfrozen assets that Iran will already have received under an interim nuclear accord reached in 2013.
When asked to address these reports on Monday, State Department Spokeswoman Marie Harf attempted to dodge the issue and then accused reporters of getting “spun up” on the issue.
Asked whether Iran could receive $50 billion “on day one after signing” or verbally agreeing to a nuclear deal, Harf told reporters that she would “look into it.”
When pressed to provide an answer about the Journal’s initial report, Harf declined “to go line by line in the story.”
Harf said sanctions relief to Iran will continue through June 30.
“They’re getting access to money throughout this period as well,” she said. “Throughout the extension they’re now getting some sanctions relief, which will continue through June 30.”
Jonathan Schanzer, a top terrorism-funding expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), said such a cash release to Iran would enable the regime to continue backing various terror groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
“This could be the largest cash infusion to a state sponsor of terrorism in modern history,” Schanzer said.
Reports of this “signing bonus” come following concessions to Iran—which range from sanctions relief to continued nuclear work at military sites—during the most recent round of negotiations in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Lawmakers and experts critical of the Obama administration’s diplomacy with Iran have warned that a slew of recent concessions in the talks would enable Iran to continue many aspects of its nuclear program.
Iran is pushing to prohibit international inspectors from accessing possible military sites until after the United States provides substantial relief from economic sanctions.
Nuclear experts such as David Albright, founder of the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), have warned that premature sanctions relief could gut the tough inspections and oversight regime on Iran promised by the Obama administration.
Under the framework agreement, Iran also would be permitted to store around 1,000 advanced nuclear centrifuges at an underground and fortified one-time military site known as Fordow, according to the Associated Press.
By keeping Fordow active, Iran would potentially be able to produce weapons-grade material in just a few weeks, according to Albright.
The New York Times reported that Iran is refusing to give up its stockpile of enriched uranium, the key component in a nuclear bomb. Under previous conditions, Iran would have had to ship these materials out of the country.
These stockpiles would also give Iran the ability to produce highly enriched weapons-grade uranium in less than six months, according to experts.
One congressional aide apprised of the ongoing talks with Iran said the administration continues to relent on key demands in order to keep Iran at the bargaining table.
“This is a disturbing yet unsurprising development in a failing series of negotiations,” the source said. “Once again, it seems the administration is prepared to make drastic concessions to Tehran in its desperate attempt to reach a deal. As a result, the United States will gamble away its remaining negotiating leverage with nothing to show for it.”
This entry was posted in National Security and tagged Iran, Nuclear Weapons, Sanctions, Terrorism. Bookmark thepermalink.
E
AP
BY: Adam Kredo
April 20, 2015 2:20 pm
The State Department on Monday would not rule out giving Iran up to $50 billion as a so-called “signing bonus” for agreeing to a nuclear deal later this year, according to comments made to journalists following reports that the Obama administration had formulated a plan to release tens of billions of frozen Iranian funds.
Experts have said this multi-billion dollar “signing bonus” option, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, could be the largest cash infusion to a terror-backing regime in recent memory.
A cash release of $30 to $50 billion upon reaching a final nuclear agreement would come in addition to the more than $11 billion in unfrozen assets that Iran will already have received under an interim nuclear accord reached in 2013.
When asked to address these reports on Monday, State Department Spokeswoman Marie Harf attempted to dodge the issue and then accused reporters of getting “spun up” on the issue.
Asked whether Iran could receive $50 billion “on day one after signing” or verbally agreeing to a nuclear deal, Harf told reporters that she would “look into it.”
When pressed to provide an answer about the Journal’s initial report, Harf declined “to go line by line in the story.”
Harf said sanctions relief to Iran will continue through June 30.
“They’re getting access to money throughout this period as well,” she said. “Throughout the extension they’re now getting some sanctions relief, which will continue through June 30.”
Jonathan Schanzer, a top terrorism-funding expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), said such a cash release to Iran would enable the regime to continue backing various terror groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
“This could be the largest cash infusion to a state sponsor of terrorism in modern history,” Schanzer said.
Reports of this “signing bonus” come following concessions to Iran—which range from sanctions relief to continued nuclear work at military sites—during the most recent round of negotiations in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Lawmakers and experts critical of the Obama administration’s diplomacy with Iran have warned that a slew of recent concessions in the talks would enable Iran to continue many aspects of its nuclear program.
Iran is pushing to prohibit international inspectors from accessing possible military sites until after the United States provides substantial relief from economic sanctions.
Nuclear experts such as David Albright, founder of the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), have warned that premature sanctions relief could gut the tough inspections and oversight regime on Iran promised by the Obama administration.
Under the framework agreement, Iran also would be permitted to store around 1,000 advanced nuclear centrifuges at an underground and fortified one-time military site known as Fordow, according to the Associated Press.
By keeping Fordow active, Iran would potentially be able to produce weapons-grade material in just a few weeks, according to Albright.
The New York Times reported that Iran is refusing to give up its stockpile of enriched uranium, the key component in a nuclear bomb. Under previous conditions, Iran would have had to ship these materials out of the country.
These stockpiles would also give Iran the ability to produce highly enriched weapons-grade uranium in less than six months, according to experts.
One congressional aide apprised of the ongoing talks with Iran said the administration continues to relent on key demands in order to keep Iran at the bargaining table.
“This is a disturbing yet unsurprising development in a failing series of negotiations,” the source said. “Once again, it seems the administration is prepared to make drastic concessions to Tehran in its desperate attempt to reach a deal. As a result, the United States will gamble away its remaining negotiating leverage with nothing to show for it.”
This entry was posted in National Security and tagged Iran, Nuclear Weapons, Sanctions, Terrorism. Bookmark thepermalink.
E
Jonathan Schanzer, a top terrorism-funding expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), said such a cash release to Iran would enable the regime to continue backing various terror groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
“This could be the largest cash infusion to a state sponsor of terrorism in modern history,” Schanzer said.
If Iran says no to that we could always sweeten the pot by including Tim Tebow.
“This could be the largest cash infusion to a state sponsor of terrorism in modern history,” Schanzer said.
If Iran says no to that we could always sweeten the pot by including Tim Tebow.
[h=1]Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian 'faces Iran spy trial'[/h]
BBC
Jason Rezaian has been the Washington Post's Iran correspondent since 2012
A Washington Post journalist who was detained nine months ago in Iran is facing four charges including espionage, according to his lawyer.
The paper's Tehran correspondent, Jason Rezaian, is accused of "collaborating with hostile governments" and spreading "propaganda", his lawyer said.
Mr Rezaian was arrested in July and charged in December but the accusations against him were not known until now.
The Washington Post has called the charges "absurd and despicable".
A statement from the paper's executive editor, Martin Baron, accused Iran of "indefensible silence" in having kept Mr Rezaian in jail for nine months without revealing why.
It urged Iran to clear the names of its correspondent and his wife, Yeganeh Salehi, who is also a journalist and was also taken into custody in July.
"The world will be watching; any just outcome to this tragic charade can result only in Jason and Yegi's exoneration and immediate release," the statement said.
The US State Department said the charges against Mr Rezaian, if confirmed, were "patently absurd", Reuters news agency reports.
The US is one of a team of world powers negotiating with Iran over its disputed nuclear programme. It has repeatedly pressed Iran to release Mr Rezaian and other detained US citizens.
[h=2]'No access'[/h]Mr Rezaian's lawyer, Leila Ahsan, learnt of the charges after meeting him for the first time on Monday, the Washington Post says.
The charges against him are said to include gathering information about "internal and foreign policy" and providing it to "individuals with hostile intent".
Ms Ahsan said she had not seen any evidence against her client. She defended him, saying that as a journalist, "it is in the nature of his profession to gain access to information and publish it".
"My client, however, has never had any direct or indirect access to classified information to share with anyone."
Mr Rezaian, a US-Iranian citizen, is being held at Tehran's Evin prison, and is due to be tried at the Revolutionary Court, which hears national security cases. No trial date has been set.
Western news organisations, including the BBC, have difficulty operating in Iran, with journalists facing detention and surveillance.
Iran-based family members of BBC journalists have been questioned by intelligence services, and authorities have tried to intimidate London-based BBC Persian staff.
BBC
- 20 April 2015
- From the sectionMiddle East
A Washington Post journalist who was detained nine months ago in Iran is facing four charges including espionage, according to his lawyer.
The paper's Tehran correspondent, Jason Rezaian, is accused of "collaborating with hostile governments" and spreading "propaganda", his lawyer said.
Mr Rezaian was arrested in July and charged in December but the accusations against him were not known until now.
The Washington Post has called the charges "absurd and despicable".
A statement from the paper's executive editor, Martin Baron, accused Iran of "indefensible silence" in having kept Mr Rezaian in jail for nine months without revealing why.
It urged Iran to clear the names of its correspondent and his wife, Yeganeh Salehi, who is also a journalist and was also taken into custody in July.
"The world will be watching; any just outcome to this tragic charade can result only in Jason and Yegi's exoneration and immediate release," the statement said.
The US State Department said the charges against Mr Rezaian, if confirmed, were "patently absurd", Reuters news agency reports.
The US is one of a team of world powers negotiating with Iran over its disputed nuclear programme. It has repeatedly pressed Iran to release Mr Rezaian and other detained US citizens.
[h=2]'No access'[/h]Mr Rezaian's lawyer, Leila Ahsan, learnt of the charges after meeting him for the first time on Monday, the Washington Post says.
The charges against him are said to include gathering information about "internal and foreign policy" and providing it to "individuals with hostile intent".
Ms Ahsan said she had not seen any evidence against her client. She defended him, saying that as a journalist, "it is in the nature of his profession to gain access to information and publish it".
"My client, however, has never had any direct or indirect access to classified information to share with anyone."
Mr Rezaian, a US-Iranian citizen, is being held at Tehran's Evin prison, and is due to be tried at the Revolutionary Court, which hears national security cases. No trial date has been set.
Western news organisations, including the BBC, have difficulty operating in Iran, with journalists facing detention and surveillance.
Iran-based family members of BBC journalists have been questioned by intelligence services, and authorities have tried to intimidate London-based BBC Persian staff.
[h=2]State Department Won’t Rule Out $50 Billion ‘Signing Bonus’ For Iran[/h]Largest cash infusion to terror regime in recent memory, experts say
EMAIL
BY: Adam Kredo
April 20, 2015 2:20 pm
The State Department on Monday would not rule out giving Iran up to $50 billion as a so-called “signing bonus” for agreeing to a nuclear deal later this year, according to comments made to journalists following reports that the Obama administration had formulated a plan to release tens of billions of frozen Iranian funds.
Experts have said this multi-billion dollar “signing bonus” option, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, could be the largest cash infusion to a terror-backing regime in recent memory.
A cash release of $30 to $50 billion upon reaching a final nuclear agreement would come in addition to the more than $11 billion in unfrozen assets that Iran will already have received under an interim nuclear accord reached in 2013.
When asked to address these reports on Monday, State Department Spokeswoman Marie Harf attempted to dodge the issue and then accused reporters of getting “spun up” on the issue.
Asked whether Iran could receive $50 billion “on day one after signing” or verbally agreeing to a nuclear deal, Harf told reporters that she would “look into it.”
When pressed to provide an answer about the Journal’s initial report, Harf declined “to go line by line in the story.”
Harf said sanctions relief to Iran will continue through June 30.
“They’re getting access to money throughout this period as well,” she said. “Throughout the extension they’re now getting some sanctions relief, which will continue through June 30.”
Jonathan Schanzer, a top terrorism-funding expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), said such a cash release to Iran would enable the regime to continue backing various terror groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
“This could be the largest cash infusion to a state sponsor of terrorism in modern history,” Schanzer said.
Reports of this “signing bonus” come following concessions to Iran—which range from sanctions relief to continued nuclear work at military sites—during the most recent round of negotiations in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Lawmakers and experts critical of the Obama administration’s diplomacy with Iran have warned that a slew of recent concessions in the talks would enable Iran to continue many aspects of its nuclear program.
Iran is pushing to prohibit international inspectors from accessing possible military sites until after the United States provides substantial relief from economic sanctions.
Nuclear experts such as David Albright, founder of the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), have warned that premature sanctions relief could gut the tough inspections and oversight regime on Iran promised by the Obama administration.
Under the framework agreement, Iran also would be permitted to store around 1,000 advanced nuclear centrifuges at an underground and fortified one-time military site known as Fordow, according to the Associated Press.
By keeping Fordow active, Iran would potentially be able to produce weapons-grade material in just a few weeks, according to Albright.
The New York Times reported that Iran is refusing to give up its stockpile of enriched uranium, the key component in a nuclear bomb. Under previous conditions, Iran would have had to ship these materials out of the country.
These stockpiles would also give Iran the ability to produce highly enriched weapons-grade uranium in less than six months, according to experts.
One congressional aide apprised of the ongoing talks with Iran said the administration continues to relent on key demands in order to keep Iran at the bargaining table.
“This is a disturbing yet unsurprising development in a failing series of negotiations,” the source said. “Once again, it seems the administration is prepared to make drastic concessions to Tehran in its desperate attempt to reach a deal. As a result, the United States will gamble away its remaining negotiating leverage with nothing to show for it.”
This entry was posted in National Security and tagged Iran, Nuclear Weapons, Sanctions, Terrorism. Bookmark thepermalink.
AP
BY: Adam Kredo
April 20, 2015 2:20 pm
The State Department on Monday would not rule out giving Iran up to $50 billion as a so-called “signing bonus” for agreeing to a nuclear deal later this year, according to comments made to journalists following reports that the Obama administration had formulated a plan to release tens of billions of frozen Iranian funds.
Experts have said this multi-billion dollar “signing bonus” option, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, could be the largest cash infusion to a terror-backing regime in recent memory.
A cash release of $30 to $50 billion upon reaching a final nuclear agreement would come in addition to the more than $11 billion in unfrozen assets that Iran will already have received under an interim nuclear accord reached in 2013.
When asked to address these reports on Monday, State Department Spokeswoman Marie Harf attempted to dodge the issue and then accused reporters of getting “spun up” on the issue.
Asked whether Iran could receive $50 billion “on day one after signing” or verbally agreeing to a nuclear deal, Harf told reporters that she would “look into it.”
When pressed to provide an answer about the Journal’s initial report, Harf declined “to go line by line in the story.”
Harf said sanctions relief to Iran will continue through June 30.
“They’re getting access to money throughout this period as well,” she said. “Throughout the extension they’re now getting some sanctions relief, which will continue through June 30.”
Jonathan Schanzer, a top terrorism-funding expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), said such a cash release to Iran would enable the regime to continue backing various terror groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
“This could be the largest cash infusion to a state sponsor of terrorism in modern history,” Schanzer said.
Reports of this “signing bonus” come following concessions to Iran—which range from sanctions relief to continued nuclear work at military sites—during the most recent round of negotiations in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Lawmakers and experts critical of the Obama administration’s diplomacy with Iran have warned that a slew of recent concessions in the talks would enable Iran to continue many aspects of its nuclear program.
Iran is pushing to prohibit international inspectors from accessing possible military sites until after the United States provides substantial relief from economic sanctions.
Nuclear experts such as David Albright, founder of the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), have warned that premature sanctions relief could gut the tough inspections and oversight regime on Iran promised by the Obama administration.
Under the framework agreement, Iran also would be permitted to store around 1,000 advanced nuclear centrifuges at an underground and fortified one-time military site known as Fordow, according to the Associated Press.
By keeping Fordow active, Iran would potentially be able to produce weapons-grade material in just a few weeks, according to Albright.
The New York Times reported that Iran is refusing to give up its stockpile of enriched uranium, the key component in a nuclear bomb. Under previous conditions, Iran would have had to ship these materials out of the country.
These stockpiles would also give Iran the ability to produce highly enriched weapons-grade uranium in less than six months, according to experts.
One congressional aide apprised of the ongoing talks with Iran said the administration continues to relent on key demands in order to keep Iran at the bargaining table.
“This is a disturbing yet unsurprising development in a failing series of negotiations,” the source said. “Once again, it seems the administration is prepared to make drastic concessions to Tehran in its desperate attempt to reach a deal. As a result, the United States will gamble away its remaining negotiating leverage with nothing to show for it.”
This entry was posted in National Security and tagged Iran, Nuclear Weapons, Sanctions, Terrorism. Bookmark thepermalink.
[h=1]India to sign port deal with Iran, ignoring US warning against haste[/h]Reuters | May 5, 2015, 05.24PM IST
NEW DELHI: India will push ahead this week with plans to build a port in southeast Iran, two sources said, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi keen to develop trade ties with Central Asia and prepared to fend off US pressure not to rush into any deals with Iran.
India and Iran agreed in 2003 to develop a port at Chabaharon the Gulf of Oman, near Iran's border with Pakistan, but the venture has made little progress because of western sanctions on Iran.
Now, spurred on by Chinese President Xi Jinping's signing of energy and infrastructure agreements with Pakistan worth $46 billion, Modi wants to swiftly sign trade deals with Iran and other Gulf countries.
"Shipping minister Nitin Gadkari will travel on a day-long tour to Iran to sign a memorandum of understanding for development of Chabahar port," a shipping ministry source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The deal will be signed on Wednesday, he said.
Encouraged by the prospect of a deal between world powers and Tehran by June 30 on Iran's nuclear programme, after which sanctions could be eased, India recently sent a delegation to Iran to scout for trade, energy and infrastructure deals.
The United States cautioned India and others last week against strengthening ties with Iran ahead of a final agreement. But Indian officials said New Delhi could not ignore its national interest and noted a report that a US energy delegation was visiting Iran.
"We don't want to miss this opportunity and will move as expeditiously as possible," the shipping ministry source said. India's cabinet approved the plan to develop Chabahar port last year.
Iran has also proposed a free-trade agreement with India, a trade ministry source said. Rupee-denominated trade with Iran, started in 2012 because of complications arising from sanctions, has almost doubled Indian exports to Tehran in the past two years to $4 billion.
Now Indian exporters want to build on that, using a free-trade zone being developed near Chabahar to export more to the Commonwealth of Independent States, made up of former Soviet Republics, said Mumbai-based Khalid Khan, regional head of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations.
"It will be Modi's gift to Iran and Indian exporters," he said of the port project.
BYPASSING PAKISTAN
India wants to build the port as it would cut transport costs and freight time to Central Asia and the Gulf by about a third.
The port is also central to India's efforts to circumvent Pakistan and open up a route to landlocked Afghanistan where it has developed close security ties and economic interests.
India has already spent about $100 million to construct a 220-km (140-mile) road in western Afghanistan to link up with Chabahar port.
Last week Modi assured Afghan President Ashraf Ghani of India's commitment to building the port.
Chabahar is just along the coast from Gwadar port in Pakistan that is being developed with China's help, said Robin Mills, head of consulting at Dubai-based Manaar Energy. "So there is a strategic element for the Indian side".
Iran could rapidly develop as a destination for global investors if Western sanctions are lifted and Modi wants to fast-track the port project before Tehran has time to rethink.
At the weekend, Iranian media reported that Iran had turned down an Indian request seeking multi-billion-dollar development rights for the Farzad B gas field.
"I think India should try to push ahead and take advantage wherever they can before Iran changes its mind," Mills said.
India and Iran agreed in 2003 to develop a port at Chabahar on the Gulf of Oman, near Iran's border with Pakistan, but the venture has made little progress because of western sanctions on Iran.
NEW DELHI: India will push ahead this week with plans to build a port in southeast Iran, two sources said, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi keen to develop trade ties with Central Asia and prepared to fend off US pressure not to rush into any deals with Iran.
India and Iran agreed in 2003 to develop a port at Chabaharon the Gulf of Oman, near Iran's border with Pakistan, but the venture has made little progress because of western sanctions on Iran.
Now, spurred on by Chinese President Xi Jinping's signing of energy and infrastructure agreements with Pakistan worth $46 billion, Modi wants to swiftly sign trade deals with Iran and other Gulf countries.
"Shipping minister Nitin Gadkari will travel on a day-long tour to Iran to sign a memorandum of understanding for development of Chabahar port," a shipping ministry source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The deal will be signed on Wednesday, he said.
Encouraged by the prospect of a deal between world powers and Tehran by June 30 on Iran's nuclear programme, after which sanctions could be eased, India recently sent a delegation to Iran to scout for trade, energy and infrastructure deals.
The United States cautioned India and others last week against strengthening ties with Iran ahead of a final agreement. But Indian officials said New Delhi could not ignore its national interest and noted a report that a US energy delegation was visiting Iran.
"We don't want to miss this opportunity and will move as expeditiously as possible," the shipping ministry source said. India's cabinet approved the plan to develop Chabahar port last year.
Iran has also proposed a free-trade agreement with India, a trade ministry source said. Rupee-denominated trade with Iran, started in 2012 because of complications arising from sanctions, has almost doubled Indian exports to Tehran in the past two years to $4 billion.
Now Indian exporters want to build on that, using a free-trade zone being developed near Chabahar to export more to the Commonwealth of Independent States, made up of former Soviet Republics, said Mumbai-based Khalid Khan, regional head of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations.
"It will be Modi's gift to Iran and Indian exporters," he said of the port project.
BYPASSING PAKISTAN
India wants to build the port as it would cut transport costs and freight time to Central Asia and the Gulf by about a third.
The port is also central to India's efforts to circumvent Pakistan and open up a route to landlocked Afghanistan where it has developed close security ties and economic interests.
India has already spent about $100 million to construct a 220-km (140-mile) road in western Afghanistan to link up with Chabahar port.
Last week Modi assured Afghan President Ashraf Ghani of India's commitment to building the port.
Chabahar is just along the coast from Gwadar port in Pakistan that is being developed with China's help, said Robin Mills, head of consulting at Dubai-based Manaar Energy. "So there is a strategic element for the Indian side".
Iran could rapidly develop as a destination for global investors if Western sanctions are lifted and Modi wants to fast-track the port project before Tehran has time to rethink.
At the weekend, Iranian media reported that Iran had turned down an Indian request seeking multi-billion-dollar development rights for the Farzad B gas field.
"I think India should try to push ahead and take advantage wherever they can before Iran changes its mind," Mills said.
India and Iran agreed in 2003 to develop a port at Chabahar on the Gulf of Oman, near Iran's border with Pakistan, but the venture has made little progress because of western sanctions on Iran.
Iran Cheating — And Not Retreating
By Christopher S. Carson,FPM
Which is the greater cave-in—cutting a terrible nuclear deal with Iran, or letting it flout the terms of even that deal? The question is now academic.
Let’s revisit the anticipated “Comprehensive Agreement on the Iranian nuclear program,” struck in outline form back on April 2nd and supposed to be finalized by June 30th. Foreign Minister Zarif announced at the time, “No agreement has been reached so we do not have any obligation yet.”
We should be so lucky. Under the deal, nothing will be done to stop Iran’s exporting of terrorism and its drive to dominate the Middle East, including its giving Hamas (a Sunni terrorist group) millions of dollars to re-dig new terror-tunnels in Gaza. Hamas’ Fedayeen use the tunnels to attack Israeli citizens.
Iran was supposed to stop all uranium enrichment. Now it gets to keep enriching, but only to 3.67% purity. Iran is now “required” to reduce its stockpile of already-enriched uranium to 300 kg., over 15 years. It promised a month ago to give the remaining 10,000 kg. to Russia. Sounds great, but not even three weeks later, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Nabas Araqchi told the Iranian media that there is no question of sending the uranium abroad—it won’t happen. Apparently Iran will get to keep its 10,000 kilograms of enriched uranium after all.
Iran had promised in April to take down most of its 19,000 spinning centrifuges, leaving 6,104, mostly at Natanz, left to potentially enrich for 10 years. But this is basically a cosmetic change. The foreign minister says that under the deal, Iran isn’t barred from upgrading its centrifuges to the advanced IR-8 type. Since this new type enriches uranium 20 times as fast as the existing IR-1 centrifuges, is Iran slowing down its enrichment? You do the math.
The Islamic Republic has a secret underground enrichment facility at Fordow. Will it be blown up by UN inspectors? No, it gets to keep going with 1,000 centrifuges, for “research.” Research into what? Iran doesn’t have to say.
Iran also has a heavy water plant that makes plutonium at Arak. You don’t need plutonium if all you want is a “peaceful” nuclear program—you can use uranium enriched to small levels. This is why Iran’s intentions are not peaceful—they have always strenuously insisted on keeping Arak open for plutonium-business.
Shutting down Arak was always a prime goal of the P5+1 group of Western nations. Even though Arak could make enough plutonium for a few bombs per year from its heavy water, the P5+1 nations, led by President Obama, now say to Iran, “If you like your plutonium, you can keep your plutonium.” Just don’t make quite so much at Arak.
Finally, the West was supposed to be allowed to inspect all Iran’s nuclear facilities, including its supply chains, “anywhere, anytime.” But Iran has said that its military sites are exempt. This is not a question of whether inspectors could go anywhere and inspect anything: they won’t be able to, even on paper, so long as the military is involved.
Iran cannot be trusted to comply even with this wretched deal. Just this week, the British government informed the UN sanctions panel of Iranian cheating. It cited an example of an unnamed member state saying that an Iranian entity had recently attempted to acquire compressors, a key component in the uranium enrichment process, using false end-user certificates in an attempt to evade controls.
For the Western allies, Iranian compliance will be, at best, “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence for things not seen.”
Christopher S. Carson, formerly of the American Enterprise Institute, is a lawyer in private practice in Milwaukee.
By Christopher S. Carson,FPM
Which is the greater cave-in—cutting a terrible nuclear deal with Iran, or letting it flout the terms of even that deal? The question is now academic.
Let’s revisit the anticipated “Comprehensive Agreement on the Iranian nuclear program,” struck in outline form back on April 2nd and supposed to be finalized by June 30th. Foreign Minister Zarif announced at the time, “No agreement has been reached so we do not have any obligation yet.”
We should be so lucky. Under the deal, nothing will be done to stop Iran’s exporting of terrorism and its drive to dominate the Middle East, including its giving Hamas (a Sunni terrorist group) millions of dollars to re-dig new terror-tunnels in Gaza. Hamas’ Fedayeen use the tunnels to attack Israeli citizens.
Iran was supposed to stop all uranium enrichment. Now it gets to keep enriching, but only to 3.67% purity. Iran is now “required” to reduce its stockpile of already-enriched uranium to 300 kg., over 15 years. It promised a month ago to give the remaining 10,000 kg. to Russia. Sounds great, but not even three weeks later, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Nabas Araqchi told the Iranian media that there is no question of sending the uranium abroad—it won’t happen. Apparently Iran will get to keep its 10,000 kilograms of enriched uranium after all.
Iran had promised in April to take down most of its 19,000 spinning centrifuges, leaving 6,104, mostly at Natanz, left to potentially enrich for 10 years. But this is basically a cosmetic change. The foreign minister says that under the deal, Iran isn’t barred from upgrading its centrifuges to the advanced IR-8 type. Since this new type enriches uranium 20 times as fast as the existing IR-1 centrifuges, is Iran slowing down its enrichment? You do the math.
The Islamic Republic has a secret underground enrichment facility at Fordow. Will it be blown up by UN inspectors? No, it gets to keep going with 1,000 centrifuges, for “research.” Research into what? Iran doesn’t have to say.
Iran also has a heavy water plant that makes plutonium at Arak. You don’t need plutonium if all you want is a “peaceful” nuclear program—you can use uranium enriched to small levels. This is why Iran’s intentions are not peaceful—they have always strenuously insisted on keeping Arak open for plutonium-business.
Shutting down Arak was always a prime goal of the P5+1 group of Western nations. Even though Arak could make enough plutonium for a few bombs per year from its heavy water, the P5+1 nations, led by President Obama, now say to Iran, “If you like your plutonium, you can keep your plutonium.” Just don’t make quite so much at Arak.
Finally, the West was supposed to be allowed to inspect all Iran’s nuclear facilities, including its supply chains, “anywhere, anytime.” But Iran has said that its military sites are exempt. This is not a question of whether inspectors could go anywhere and inspect anything: they won’t be able to, even on paper, so long as the military is involved.
Iran cannot be trusted to comply even with this wretched deal. Just this week, the British government informed the UN sanctions panel of Iranian cheating. It cited an example of an unnamed member state saying that an Iranian entity had recently attempted to acquire compressors, a key component in the uranium enrichment process, using false end-user certificates in an attempt to evade controls.
For the Western allies, Iranian compliance will be, at best, “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence for things not seen.”
Christopher S. Carson, formerly of the American Enterprise Institute, is a lawyer in private practice in Milwaukee.
[h=1]Iran’s Supreme Leader Rules Out Broad Nuclear Inspections[/h]
TEHRAN — Iran’s supreme leader on Wednesday ruled out inspections of Iranian military sites and interviews of Iranian nuclear scientists in any potential deal on its nuclear program.
In a speech at a graduation ceremony at the Imam Hussein Military University in Tehran, the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, denounced what he said were escalating demands in the nuclear talks between Iran and world powers that resumed on Wednesday in Vienna.
“They say new things in the negotiations. Regarding inspections, we have said that we will not let foreigners inspect any military center,” Ayatollah Khamenei said, according to a text of the speech released on his personal website, Khamenei.ir.
After the last round of talks ended on Friday, a barrage of complaints erupted on the Iranian state news media over reported demands by the United States for broad mandates for nuclear inspectors working for the United Nations nuclear watchdog.
The comments by Ayatollah Khamenei seemingly cement the Iranian position that a requirement for inspections of sites not designated by the country as part of its nuclear energy program is a nonstarter. While not new, the statement could further tie the hands of Iran’s negotiating team, led by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who on Friday said that a comprehensive deal before the self-imposed June 30 deadline was still possible.
Interviews with nuclear scientists are a thorny issue in Iran, where five were assassinated in separate attacks from 2010 to 2012. Iran has accused the International Atomic Energy Agency of leaking personal information about the scientists to Israel, which then carried out the assassinations. As a matter of policy, Israel does not comment on such accusations.
“They say the right to interview nuclear scientists must be given,” Ayatollah Khamenei said, according to his website. “This means interrogation. I will not let foreigners come and talk to scientists and dear children of the nation who have developed this science up to this level.”
The supreme leader also sent a warning to a regional rival, Saudi Arabia, and its Sunni Arab allies not to stir up trouble in Iran’s border provinces, populated mostly by Iran’s Sunni minorities.
“I have some news that enemies in cooperation with some stupid officials in the region intend to bring proxy wars close to the borders of Iran,” Ayatollah Khamenei said. They should know that if they cause mischief, Iran’s reaction will be very harsh.”
Shiite Iran and Saudi Arabia are backing opposing sectarian forces in a proxy war in Yemen and many other smaller conflicts in the Middle East, although they are nominal allies in the war against the Islamic State.
On Wednesday, a brewing crisis over an Iranian cargo ship headed to Yemen that Tehran says is carrying aid but that Saudi Arabia suspects has weapons seemed to have been defused. The Saudi Navy had threatened to board the ship, which in addition to its cargo carried a group of reporters from the Iranian state media.
The state news agency IRNA reported that a decision was made for the ship to sail to the port of Djibouti, where it was to be inspected by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
TEHRAN — Iran’s supreme leader on Wednesday ruled out inspections of Iranian military sites and interviews of Iranian nuclear scientists in any potential deal on its nuclear program.
In a speech at a graduation ceremony at the Imam Hussein Military University in Tehran, the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, denounced what he said were escalating demands in the nuclear talks between Iran and world powers that resumed on Wednesday in Vienna.
“They say new things in the negotiations. Regarding inspections, we have said that we will not let foreigners inspect any military center,” Ayatollah Khamenei said, according to a text of the speech released on his personal website, Khamenei.ir.
After the last round of talks ended on Friday, a barrage of complaints erupted on the Iranian state news media over reported demands by the United States for broad mandates for nuclear inspectors working for the United Nations nuclear watchdog.
The comments by Ayatollah Khamenei seemingly cement the Iranian position that a requirement for inspections of sites not designated by the country as part of its nuclear energy program is a nonstarter. While not new, the statement could further tie the hands of Iran’s negotiating team, led by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who on Friday said that a comprehensive deal before the self-imposed June 30 deadline was still possible.
Interviews with nuclear scientists are a thorny issue in Iran, where five were assassinated in separate attacks from 2010 to 2012. Iran has accused the International Atomic Energy Agency of leaking personal information about the scientists to Israel, which then carried out the assassinations. As a matter of policy, Israel does not comment on such accusations.
“They say the right to interview nuclear scientists must be given,” Ayatollah Khamenei said, according to his website. “This means interrogation. I will not let foreigners come and talk to scientists and dear children of the nation who have developed this science up to this level.”
The supreme leader also sent a warning to a regional rival, Saudi Arabia, and its Sunni Arab allies not to stir up trouble in Iran’s border provinces, populated mostly by Iran’s Sunni minorities.
“I have some news that enemies in cooperation with some stupid officials in the region intend to bring proxy wars close to the borders of Iran,” Ayatollah Khamenei said. They should know that if they cause mischief, Iran’s reaction will be very harsh.”
Shiite Iran and Saudi Arabia are backing opposing sectarian forces in a proxy war in Yemen and many other smaller conflicts in the Middle East, although they are nominal allies in the war against the Islamic State.
On Wednesday, a brewing crisis over an Iranian cargo ship headed to Yemen that Tehran says is carrying aid but that Saudi Arabia suspects has weapons seemed to have been defused. The Saudi Navy had threatened to board the ship, which in addition to its cargo carried a group of reporters from the Iranian state media.
The state news agency IRNA reported that a decision was made for the ship to sail to the port of Djibouti, where it was to be inspected by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Iran is officially the King of the Camel Jockey’s in the ME.
They have the support of Russia and China. They constantly tell Obama to fuck off and laugh at him. They have taken control of Iraq and Yemen. They have teamed up with ISIS on one hand while claiming to fight them on the other. They openly support Hezbollah and Hamas.
And what about Obama’s supposed 60 nation coalition that is fighting these terrorists? It seems to me they’re all MIA including the US.
Iran has the upper hand and Obama thinks he can negotiate with them. P. T. Barnum said it best, there’s a sucker born every minute.
They have the support of Russia and China. They constantly tell Obama to fuck off and laugh at him. They have taken control of Iraq and Yemen. They have teamed up with ISIS on one hand while claiming to fight them on the other. They openly support Hezbollah and Hamas.
And what about Obama’s supposed 60 nation coalition that is fighting these terrorists? It seems to me they’re all MIA including the US.
Iran has the upper hand and Obama thinks he can negotiate with them. P. T. Barnum said it best, there’s a sucker born every minute.
The Lessons of the Syrian Chemical Weapons Discovery - Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser (Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs)
- In early May, inspectors from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) reported that they had located traces of sarin-type chemical weapons and ricin-type biological weapons in at least three sites in Syria which the Assad regime had not reported. This came following verification of the regime's extensive use of chlorine in barrel bombs dropped on heavily populated areas controlled by the opposition. These developments and Western reactions carry ramifications that go beyond the Syrian context, with direct implications for the planned nuclear deal with Iran.
- So long as the extent of supervision is dictated by the supervised party's declarations regarding its facilities, and so long as that party's intention is to retain prohibited capabilities, that party can conceal facilities or surreptitiously transfer assets to other sites relatively easily. In this context, Iran has made clear yet again that it refuses to allow unlimited access to its military facilities or those of the Revolutionary Guard, which obviously could hide crucial components of the nuclear program.
- Once problematic information emerges, no matter how grave, the West makes no quick decision, let alone taking the required action. The lack of political will to be drawn into a conflict with the party under supervision leads to foot-dragging; the issue is sidelined and its importance downplayed. The chlorine-gas attacks on the Syrian population, for example, have become a humdrum matter that interests no one and is barely mentioned, let alone spurring a response.
- The West's commitment to act on these issues only within the framework of a broad international coalition creates total paralysis. In the Iranian context, the Russians have already made clear that they will oppose a snapback of the sanctions even if Iran violates the nuclear agreement, if and when it is signed.
- Whoever wants to defend against the threats embodied in Iran's behavior must have an independent capacity to act - even if one enjoys a deep strategic security relationship with the U.S. What the Saudis have been demonstrating in Yemen shows that they have already reached this conclusion.
The writer is Director of the Project on the Regional Implications of the Syrian Civil War at the Jerusalem Center. He was formerly Director General of the Israel Ministry of Strategic Affairs and head of the Research and Analysis and Production Division of IDF Military Intelligence.
