Kerry Strikes 3 a.m. Deal With Iran. Iran Thrilled –Israel, Not So Much.
On November 23, at a 3 a.m. ‘signing ceremony’ in Geneva–of which Israel was not a part of–Iran and the Obama administration achieved their goal of lifting sanctions on Iran.
Led by Secretary of State John Kerry, Iran and six major powers agreed to “freeze key parts of Iran’s nuclear program” in exchange for “temporary relief on some economic sanctions”. While Kerry, Obama and others were hailing this as a “historic move” that will “make the world safer” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disagrees.
“What was achieved last night in Geneva is not a historic agreement, but a historic mistake,” the Prime Minister said. “Today the world has become a much more dangerous place because the most dangerous regime in the world has taken a significant step toward attaining the most dangerous weapon in the world.”
Almost immediately after signing the agreement, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated what no one else (other than Netanyahu) would say–that Kerry’s deal “recognizes Tehran’s ‘right’ to maintain an enrichment program,” causing Sec. Kerry to do some damage control on the Sunday morning talk show circuit. On ABC’s “This Week”, Kerry said, “There is no inherent right to enrich. And everywhere in this particular agreement it states that they could only do that by mutual agreement, and nothing is agreed on until everything is agreed on.”
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is also skeptical about the deal, expressing distrust with Iran.
“In my view, this agreement did not proportionately reduce Iran’s nuclear program for the relief it is receiving,” Menendez stated. “Given Iran’s history of duplicity, it will demand ongoing, on the ground verification.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated what he has been saying all along, “Israel will not allow Iran to develop a military nuclear capability.” Obama is scheduled to meet with PM Netanyahu on Monday.
