A decade-long negotiations between Iran and P5+1 - the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany - eventually produced a comprehensive nuclear deal on Tuesday (July 14) in Vienna. The deal was struck on the basis of a draft agreement that was reached in April this year. Sanctions would be lifted by the US, the E U and the UN against Iran in return of curbs by Iran on its nuclear programme on the basis of certificate issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The one hundred-page document aims to keep Iran from producing enough materials for an atomic weapon for at least 10 years and impose new provisions for inspection of Iranian facilities, including military sites. Iran agreed to the continuation of UN arms embargo on the country for up to five years. However, it could end early if the IAEA definitely clears Iran of any current work on nuclear weapons. A similar condition will remain in place on the UN restriction on transfer of ballistic missile technology to Tehran which could last for up to eight years.
President Barack Obama in a brief statement from the White House on July 14 hailed the agreement 'as a step towards a more hopeful world and we should seize it.' The President said, "After two years of negotiations, the US together with the international community, has achieved something that decades of animosity has not: it's a comprehensive long-term deal with Iran that will prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon. The deal is not built on trust. It's built on verification".
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a statement that it proved constructive engagement worked. He said a new chapter has begun in his nation's relations with the world. However, the Iranian President maintained that Iran had never sought to build a bomb.
European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, who acted as coordinator for the world powers, said, "It would open up the way to a new chapter in the international relations and show that diplomacy, coordination and cooperation could overcome decades of tensions and confrontation. I think this is a sign of hope for the entire world."
US national security adviser Susan Rice is of the opinion that "nuclear deal reached with Iran will prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and not letting up pressure for its support of terrorism and other destabilising activities. This is a very good deal. It cuts off all of Iran's pathways to a nuke and ensures the necessary inspection and transparency."
Another piece of good news is that Chief of the IAEA Yukiya Amano announced on July 13 that he had signed 'a roadmap' with the Iranian government for clarification of past and present outstanding issues regarding Iran's nuclear programme.
On the other hand, soon after the news of the deal was announced, a spate of criticism by US lawmakers and Israeli warlords flooded the news channels.
Hawkish Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is of the opinion: "From the initial reports we can already conclude that the agreement is a historic mistake for the world. Far-reaching concessions have been made in all areas that were supposed to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapon capability."
President Obama is likely to face hurdles to clear the deal in the Congress. The Congress has 60 days to review the deal under the term of an oversight process agreed between the Congress and the White House in April this year. The Republican-dominated Congress would dig into the details to challenge the deal. It is likely to derail the accord if the Republicans succeed. The majority lawmakers of the Republican and some Democrats are on the same position as the Israeli Prime Minister. Some Republican lawmakers have begun to sing songs of Israel. Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican and prospective presidential candidate, has this to say in his reaction: "This is the most dangerous, irresponsible step I have ever seen in the history of watching the Middle East." He thinks that Iranian deal is "a declaration of war on Israel and the Middle East."
The landmark deal has become a milestone of President Obama's legacy in foreign policy. The President in his statement on Tuesday threatened to "veto" any legislation that blocks the deal.
The writer is a retired diplomat from Bangladesh and freelance writer. amjad.21@gmail.com
