e-News 8/14/15

IRAN’S OWN WORDS ON THE OBAMA NUCLEAR AGREEMENT

As the House and Senate prepare to cast a monumental vote deciding the fate of President Obama’s Nuclear Weapons agreement with Iran, there are many key issues to examine: inspections and verifiability, enforcement of the agreement’s provisions, the lifting of the conventional arms embargo, to name just a few.

In this context, it is valuable to examine what the Iranian leadership is saying about many of these provisions.  In most cases, their declarations call into question their own interpretation of the agreement and, in some cases, a real doubt that they will comply.

Military Site Inspections:

". . . refusal to allow inspection or refusal to accept any restrictions in the defense and missile spheres . . . has been fully achieved through the deal.”
      - Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, July 21, 2015

"The access of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency or from any other body to Iran’s military centers is forbidden.”
      - Ali Akbar Velayati, Adviser to Supreme Leader Khamenei, July 21, 2015

“We will by no means allow any [foreign] authority access to our military and security secret."
      - Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan, July 21, 2015

Possible Military Dimensions (PMD):

"By December 15, at the end of the year, the issue (of the PMD) should be determined. The IAEA will submit its report to the board of governors. It will only submit it. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action will continue independently of the results of this report.”
      - Ali Akbar Salehi, Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, July 22, 2015

"There is no separate agreement for Parchin inspections and inspections will be conducted only within the framework of the agreement [with the IAEA].”
      - Ali Akbar Salehi, Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, July 22, 2015

Re-imposing Sanctions on Iran or “Snapback” Sanctions:

 "Swarming of businesses to Iran for investing their money is the biggest barrier for such an action [re-imposing sanctions on Iran], and American officials have been very concerned about this. … Once the structure of the sanctions collapses, it will be impossible to reconstruct it.”
      - Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, July 21, 2015

Duration of the Agreement :

"The U.N. Security Council’s resolution says clearly that the timeframe of agreement is 10 years, and Iran’s case will be closed in the Security Council after that. If the U.S. and any other member of P5+1 say they want to adopt a new resolution after 10 years allowing sanctions to be re-imposed, it is the breach of Vienna agreement and has no credibility.”
      - Deputy Foreign Minister and chief nuclear negotiator Abbas Araqchi, July 22, 2015

Iran’s Development of Ballistic Missiles:

"Missile-related issues have never been on agenda of the nuclear talks and the Islamic system will resolutely implement its programs in this field.”
      - Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehqan, July 26, 2015

"I say explicitly that the Islamic Republic of Iran will never back down on its defensive stance and will manufacture any type of missile deemed to be in its interest, [including] liquid-fueled or solid-fueled and short-range or long-range [missiles].”
      - Ali Akbar Velayati, Adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, July 21, 2015

Conventional Arms Embargo on Iran:

“Whenever we consider it necessary for our own security, [or] to help our allies in the region we will provide weapons. … We don’t feel shy. We will provide weapons to whomever and whenever we consider appropriate. And we will buy weapons from wherever we can.”
      - Deputy Foreign Minister and chief nuclear negotiator Abbas Araqchi, July 22, 2015

"No one can tell us which weapons we can have.... Except nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction, Iran will continue making all the missiles, fighter jets, anti-missile defense systems, tanks and other armored equipment it needs.”
      - Ali Akbar Velayati, Adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, July 21, 2015

"Some of the points inserted in the draft are clearly in contradiction to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s major red lines and violate them, particularly regarding arms capabilities, and we’ll never accept it.”
      -  Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari, Head of Revolutionary Guard Corps, July 20, 2015

The words of Iranian leaders should raise serious questions about their intentions and motivations.

Nobody wants Iran to have a nuclear weapon. Not Congress, not the American people, and not our allies. With American leadership, the sanctions regime can be re-imposed, meaning we have more options than war or a bad deal.

Salute:  Congratulations to U.S. Army Chief of Staff, General Raymond T. Odierno on his well-deserved retirement!  After 39 years in uniform, the Morris County born, in Rockaway, West Point graduate will be retiring following a decorated career in which he honorably served in the Persian Gulf and Iraq Wars.  Before becoming the 38^th Chief of Staff of the Army, General Odierno commanded the U.S. Joint Forces Command and is the twelfth American military officer to command at the Division, Corps, and Army level during the same conflict and only the second to have this honor since the Vietnam War.  Our brave servicemen and women and their families were lucky to have had such a leader for so many years!

Salute: Thank you to members NJ Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, who had a “Coffee with Congress” with me at the Empire Diner in Parsippany this morning; family representatives from Morris Township, Montville, Kinnelon, Bernards Township, Rockaway Township, Pompton Lakes and Wayne advocated in support of research and more funding.