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Interesting view from Dr. Trita Parsi

Big Al
March 19, 2015

Greetings,

Just a few thoughts and comments on the AP story today on the draft of the nuclear deal between the US, Iran and the P5+1. Feel free to quote:

If the AP story is correct it shows several things. First of all, this is the clearest sign yet that the two sides are in the eleventh hour – and they are close to getting a historic agreement. If the numbers are correct, then clearly diplomacy has worked.

Both sides have agreed to major chnages to their policies. Iran has reduced its number of centrifuges with more than 2/3, from 20,000 to 6,000, while agreeing to unprecedented intrusive inspections. The US side has agreed to significant sanctions relief upfront, further showing that concessions only could be won by offering concessions in turn.

This provides both sides with strong arguments as they return to their capitols to sell the deal at home. The Iranians have secured important sanctions relief, while the Obama administration has secured a year-long breakout capability, major reduction in centrifuges plus an unparalleled inspections regime.

Achieving a stronger deal than this is simply not realistic. The pressure-only approach the Bush administration pursued – and that the critics of the Obama deal would like to return to – only produced a fast growing Iranian nuclear program. For the first time, thanks to persistent diplomacy, that program has now been paused and all paths to a bomb will be closed.

Trita Parsi, PhD

Discussion
8 Comments
    Mar 19, 2015 19:27 AM

    Yep, those Iranians have proved over the years to be very trustworthy. No cheating by these folks and they have a proven record of welcoming inspectors. Based on past results this should work out well………………for the Mullahs!

    Saudia Arabia had better get that check in the mail to Pakistan. Much faster to just buy a few to put on their current missiles.

    CFS
    Mar 19, 2015 19:48 AM

    What BS.
    Iran is currently running 10,000 centrifuges NOT 20,000

    The U.S. position at the start of the negotiations was that Iran should reduce the number to 500 to 1,000 centrifuges.

    Further there is no inspection regime in place to stop Iran moving excess centrifuges to another facility and secretly using them there.

    The very fact that concentrations of upgraded uranium have been found far in excess of the concentration needed for nuclear reactors proves the deviousness of the Iranian regime.

      Mar 19, 2015 19:54 AM

      But.. but… but…didn’t you see that little term under the writers name CFS? It said PHD. You can trust PHD’s because they are smarter than everyone else. So no need for further irritating questions. Just accept the words, man. Because a PHD wrote them.

    CFS
    Mar 19, 2015 19:56 AM

    Check out Dr. Parsi’s bio.
    Should on trust an Iranian claiming US successfully negotiated with Iran.
    Heck I would not trust the administration if it said that.

      Mar 19, 2015 19:41 AM

      You have the Bio? Please post as I am curious.

    Mar 19, 2015 19:19 PM

    you have to admit Mr. Parsi has a great education and i s brillant. That said the current agreement [its not a treaty] is very problematic for USA and others. Too much trust is being given to the [Holy ? ] men of Iran . the Ayatollas [19 of them ] are all corrupt. 17 of the Ayatollas or thier children have become billionaires . Fish smell of corruption in Teran . We should blockade the coast of Iran with naval ships and just let nature take its course. No invasion necessary as thier economy would collapse . BEST to yu all S

    cmc
    Mar 19, 2015 19:29 PM

    My hunch is that this agreement has as much, if not more, to do with the relationship between Iran and Russia than about a nuke that Iran is known to not even be building. Just a hunch. One has no farging idea what is actually said in secret.