Beyond the U.S, Iran nuclear pact

CHIKA NWABUEZE

Despite the United States and Iran nuclear agreement, there is still no clear sign that the cold relationship existing between the two countries will improve any soon. This is even as Israel has continued to voice its opposition to the deal with Tehran, describing it as a ‘historic mistake’.

The world powers had on July 14 reached accord with Iran to scale down on its nuclear enrichment in return for Washington to lift the economic sanctions imposed on Tehran.

Recent report said the Iranian spiritual leader, Ayatollah Khamenei chided U.S. President Barack Obama for saying that he could knock out Iran’s military. Obama has said the U.S. considers Iran an adversary whose activities will be closely monitored.”

CNET.Com wrote that Khamenei tweeted “we welcome no war, but if any war happens the one who will emerge loser will be the aggressor and criminal U.S.” His statement is seen to contradict the principles of the agreement.

There are genuine concerns among the Gulf Arab states that the nuclear deal may strengthen Iran to increase support for allies at odds with Gulf Arab states.

In the U.S critics of the nuclear pact with Iran denounced the idea of the Obama administration to submit the agreement to the United Nations (UN) before the Congress approval. Pro-Israeli lawmakers are said to be planning to vote against the deal with Iran.

There was protest as thousands of Americans stormed the Times Square to denounce Iran nuclear pact. The protesters asked the Congress to reject the deal under which the U.S will lift economic sanctions against Iran, in return for measures to prevent the country from building nuclear weapons, Hallmark gathered.

At the rally, Alan Dershowitz, a prominent Jewish attorney, said he was “opposing the deal as a liberal Democrat.” He said he believed democracy was “ignored” because the Obama administration negotiated the deal without congressional input, reports AP.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Iran will be able to swiftly get nuclear weapons after the emerging deal expires. Netanyahu said last Wednesday that “Israel shares the view” that when the deal expires “the breakout time for Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon will be zero.”

To this Israel says it is opposed to any accord between Iran and Western powers, but it has avoided making any categorical statement on exploring military option. The world is watching if Israel will decide to launch unilateral military strike against Iran.

The U.S has continued to assure Israel of its commitment to the Jewish state’s safety in the Middle East. It also embarked on diplomatic trips to Israel to douse tension over the controversial nuclear deal with Iran, Israelis bitterest enemy in the region.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter told the Israeli Prime Minister in Jerusalem that “the U.S. shared their concerns about Iranian behavior and wanted to close ranks with Israel to mitigate the risks”. But Israel insists that the deal poses grave threats to Israel and the Middle East.

At any rate, U.S government officials are upbeat that the deal is in the U.S national security interest. To them the agreement will substantially roll back Iran’s nuclear program.

Secretary of State John Kerry argues that if the deal is rejected, the diplomatic support U.S has garnered in recent years would evaporate.” The Congress is expected to vote on the deal in September.

Analysts are of the view that the nuclear accord with Iran has reached a point where it will be dangerous to discontinue with it. The agreement is the outcome of a long process of negotiations in which all the parties came to an agreeable position. Other signatories to it are Britain, Germany, China, Russia and France. It is unlikely that these countries will support anything to the contrary, according to diplomatic sources.

Republicans want the U.S people to reject the deal, while some of the presidential aspirants say they will rescind the deal if voted as president in the forthcoming election. They want a better deal but it appears to be too late now.

Mitt Romney wrote just recently, “Iran is led by suicidal, apocalypse-seeking, America-hating, Israel-denying theocratic fanatics.” These fanatics, he added are “entirely bereft of restraint, decency and respect for human life.” So naturally it follows, “If the Ayatollahs have nuclear weapons, they will use them, someday, somewhere.”