STATUS OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH IRAN Thank you to UANI for most of the information provided herein BOTTOM LINE: On all the major issues, the U.S. appears to have retreated from its original positions and ceded ground. Conversely, Tehran has shown no signs of relinquishing its hardline positions on the remaining issues in dispute. The main points of contention surround: the size of Irans enrichment program the status of Irans heavy water reactor at Arak the status of Irans fortified underground enrichment facility at Fordow the scope of Irans R&D activities, including advanced centrifuges Irans ongoing ballistic missile program the resolution of the International Atomic Energy Agencys (IAEA) long-standing probe into the possible military dimensions (PMD) of Irans nuclear program Rhetoric Versus Reality 1. Arak Heavy-Water Reactor In 2013, the Administration position appeared to be that the heavy-water reactor at Arak would be shut down. In reality, it appears the reactor will merely be redesigned to reduce output. They certainly dont need a heavy-water reactor at Arak in order to have a peaceful nuclear program. President Obama, 12/7/2013 The issue of heavy water reactor... has been virtually resolved... Iran has offered a proposal to... redesign the heart of the Arak facility and these six countries have agreed to that. Ali Akbar Salehi, Iranian nuclear chief, 4/19/2014 2. Fordow Fortified Underground Enrichment Facility In 2013, the Administration position appeared to be that the Fordow facility would be shut down. In reality, it appears the facility will merely be repurposed. Now, in terms of specifics, we know that they dont need to have an underground, fortified facility like Fordo[w] in order to have a peaceful nuclear program. President Obama, 12/7/2013 Theres no dispute over whether reactors should be built in Arak or if Iran should enjoy enrichment technology or about Fordow or the end of so-called (nuclear) military activities. President Rouhani, 10/7/2014 3. R&D, Advanced Centrifuges Iran has not indicated that it will accept any limitations on its R&D, including the introduction of advanced centrifuges 24 times more efficient than Irans currently deployed model. They dont need some of the advanced centrifuges that they currently possess in order to have a limited, peaceful nuclear program. President Obama, 12/7/2013 All should know that negotiations will not stop or slow down any of Irans activities in nuclear research and development. Supreme Leader Khamenei, 4/9/2014 4. Size of Irans Enrichment Program The Administration appears to have retreated from its original position that Iran will need to dismantle a significant amount of its nuclear infrastructure. Reports indicate that the Administration has agreed to allow Iran to operate 6,000 centrifuges from its initial bargaining position of 500 centrifuges. Tehran is still unsatisfied. Iran does not need nearly the centrifuge capacity that it has today... As part of a comprehensive solution, we will require that Iran dismantle a significant amount of its nuclear infrastructure related to uranium enrichment. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, 1/23/2014 We will not retreat even one step from the countrys nuclear rights; no machine or equipment will be dismantled... and the most important of all, the industrial enrichment will be materialized powerfully and within the framework of the countrys needs. Senior Nuclear Negotiator Abbas Araqchi, 10/25/2014 5. Ballistic Missile Testing The Administration appears not to have taken any concrete steps to compel Iran to rein in its ballistic missile program, as required by UN Security Council resolutions. They have to deal with matters related to their ballistic missile program that are included in the United Nations Security Council resolution that is part of explicitly, according to the Joint Plan of Action, the comprehensive resolution negotiation. W.H. Press Secretary Jay Carney, 2/18/2014 Irans missiles are not up for discussion under any circumstances... Irans missiles are only our concern... We dont accept any intervention from anybody on this issue. Iranian Defense Minister Gen. Hossein Dehghan 4/16/2014 (Dehghan was the commander in Lebanon overseeing Hezbollah operations during the time of the 1983 bombing of the US Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon in which 241 sleeping Americans who were there on a peacekeeping mission were killed) 6. Possible Military Dimensions of Irans Nuclear Program Reports indicate that despite the Administrations pronouncements, the P5+1 will not obligate Iran to come clean on its atomic bomb research, as required by the IAEA. What we have said consistently is that the JPOA talked about past and present concerns, which is IAEA-speak for possible military dimensions. And we have said that these will have to be addressed to be able to achieve a comprehensive agreement. Senior Obama Administration Official, 3/14/2014 We dont have any more problems with IAEA on the nuclear issue. There are no more questions that we havent answered. In other words, we can say Irans nuclear activities is a closed case already. Ali Akbar Salehi, Iranian nuclear chief, 4/19/2014 In sum, vast gaps between Iran and the P5+1 remain on many key issues. It is unclear how these gaps can be bridged in the current talks, unless the U.S. continues to dangerously and appeasingly withdraw from its original positions with creative solutions in deference to Irans uncompromising approach.
Posted on: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 20:42:47 +0000
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