Iran nuclear talks: 'Framework' deal agreed

[Neverna]

An outline agreement on the future shape of Iran's nuclear programme has been reached after marathon talks with six major powers in Switzerland.

Under the deal, Iran will reduce its uranium enrichment capacity in exchange for phased sanctions relief.

US President Barack Obama said a "historic understanding" had been reached with Iran.

The world powers and Iran now aim to draft a comprehensive nuclear accord by 30 June.

The framework agreement was announced by the European Union and Iran after eight days of negotiations in Lausanne.

The talks between the so-called P5+1 - the US, UK, France, China and Russia plus Germany - and Iran at Lausanne's Beau-Rivage Palace hotel continued beyond the original self-imposed deadline of 31 March.



After a missed deadline and two exhausting nights of negotiations Iran and the six world powers presented their framework as a major achievement.

The EU's top diplomat, Federica Mogherini, read out a joint statement outlining the main points, including a reduction in the number of Iran's operating centrifuges, changes to its nuclear facilities, and a promise to lift sanctions if these steps are verified.

This is an unwritten understanding, not a formal agreement, and it lays the foundation for very tough negotiations on the details.

But for now its architects are celebrating a hard won, potentially historic, achievement.

Iran denies Western claims it is trying to build a nuclear weapon. It entered negotiations in order to see sanctions lifted.

'Unprecedented verification'
According to a US factsheet issued after the talks, the outline deal includes the following conditions:

Iran will reduce its installed centrifuges - used to enrich uranium - by two-thirds and reduce its stockpile of low-enriched uranium

The centrifuges that are no longer in use will be placed in storage, monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

All of Iran's nuclear facilities will be subject to regular IAEA inspections
Iran will redesign its heavy-water reactor in Arak so that it cannot produce weapons-grade plutonium

US and EU sanctions related to Iran's nuclear programme will be lifted in phases, but can be brought back if Iran does not meet its obligations.

Mr Obama said the deal's implementation would be closely watched. "If Iran cheats, the world will know it," he said, adding that the deal was based not on trust but on "unprecedented verification".

He said the framework agreement had come after "months of tough, principled diplomacy", and that it was "a good deal".

Iran nuclear talks: 'Framework' deal agreed - BBC News

[sabang]

"Many a slip twixt cup and lip."

A bit more horsetrading to go, I wager.

[Boon Mee]

TEHRAN ACCUSES WHITE HOUSE OF LYING ABOUT NUKE DEAL

Iran Accuses U.S. of Lying About New Nuke Agreement | Washington Free Beacon

This is another example of the bumbling, stumbling Obama ME 'policy'. Obama has stated that if I-ran reneges on the deal, we'll know about it.

Right. Israel will be the first to find out, eh?

[Boon Mee]

Obama Can’t Force His Iran Deal on the Country without Congress’s Consent

Having the U.N. Security Council bless a deal wouldn’t make it binding under our Constitution.

It is no secret that Barack Obama does not have much use for the United States Constitution. It is a governing plan for a free, self-determining people. Hence, it is littered with roadblocks against schemes to rule the people against their will. When it comes to our imperious president’s scheme to enable our enemy, Iran, to become a nuclear-weapons power — a scheme that falls somewhere between delusional and despicable, depending on your sense of Obama’s good faith — the salient barrier is that only Congress can make real law."

Most lawmakers think it would be a catastrophe to forge a clear path to the world’s most destructive weapons for the world’s worst regime — a regime that brays “Death to America” as its motto; that has killed thousands of Americans since 1979; that remains the world’s leading state sponsor of jihadist terrorism; that pledges to wipe our ally Israel off the map; and that just three weeks ago, in the midst of negotiations with Obama, conducted a drill in which its armed forces fired ballistic missiles at a replica U.S. aircraft carrier."

WATCH: Iranian cruise missiles blow up life-size replica of American aircraft carrier - Middle East - Jerusalem Post

National Review

The country is in the very best of hands...

[slackula]

Free Republic have gone even more apeshit than usual over this one - it's hilarious!

You'd think Obama promised the US will deliver 4 Trident submarines with armed nuclear warheads to the Iranian navy, with targeting coordinates for Tel Aviv, Dallas, Liberty University, and Wasilla programmed in to read the pants-shitting tantrum they are having.

Don't worry BM, the heroes of the GOP will send another letter to your enemies telling them they can ignore the POTUS and all will be well in the Republic of Gilead...

[sabang]

Outside of the usual loopies, the World has welcomed this. It ain't done yet (and of course you can fully expect a campaign of running interference from the usual suspects), but when the deal is done I'd say it will join the Affordable Healthcare Act as the iconic achievement of the Obama administration. Nice to leave on a high note.

Oh, the Iranian Hawks are bitterly complaining too- it drastically reduces Iran's uranium processing capacity, and eliminates the ability to produce weapons grade material. So good.

[koman]

This is an unwritten understanding, not a formal agreement, and it lays the foundation for very tough negotiations on the details.

Ah....not really an agreement at all then....just an agreement to maybe have an agreement.....

The centrifuges that are no longer in use will be placed in storage

Nice and close so they can be dragged out over a weekend and started up again.... when the time appears right...

Mr Obama said the deal's implementation would be closely watched. "If Iran cheats, the world will know it," he said, adding that the deal was based not on trust but on "unprecedented verification".

This guy really does live in lala land.....

He said the framework agreement had come after "months of tough, principled diplomacy", and that it was "a good deal".

But.....it's not really a deal at all.....it's just an agreement to try and make a deal.... Iran buying time and trying to get the sanctions off its back until it's ready to move ahead again......who does this golfing, ex social worker think he' s kidding? Nearing two full terms in office and he still could not recognize a good deal if it jumped up and bit him on the ass ......

It entered negotiations in order to see sanctions lifted.

At least they have the balls to admit it......did Barry and friends miss this clue...?

Oh...we never really wanted a nuclear weapon anyway, we just like lots of the right equipment laying around to make one....... but we'll moth-ball some of it if you'll lift the sanctions that are making it harder to get all the stuff we need. ...and we'll promise to let your people come and look around every now and then...you know, to keep us honest and whatnot.....

[Norton]

not really an agreement at all then

Tis a framework. Details to be negotiated before July 1st. Devil is in the details so before I would pose an opinion on the issue would like to see the details. If the final agreement ensures verifiable nuclear weapons controls, why not go with it? Beats the hell out of the alternatives.

[Boon Mee]

And the framework is so flawed the only logical thing to do is kill the deal. Only reason I-ran has even come to the negotiating table is because the sanctions are working. Let them continue to work until they give up "Death to America" and recognize Israel.

[sabang]

Only reason I-ran has even come to the negotiating table is because the sanctions are working.

Strangely, you argued the opposite when it came to the disastrous invasion of Iraq.

If the final agreement ensures verifiable nuclear weapons controls, why not go with it?

Oh, you know exactly why Norts. Right wing Israel and Teabag amerka. They do make a lot of noise, out there in the peanut gallery.

[Boon Mee]

If the final agreement ensures verifiable nuclear weapons controls, why not go with it? Beats the hell out of the alternatives.

How well did that method work with Saddam and he was a pussy compared to these Mad Mullahs?

[Norton]

Only reason I-ran has even come to the negotiating table is because the sanctions are working.

But, but after years of sanctions Bibi and some folks in Congress say Iran is only a few months away (or is it hours away) from having a nuc. Ergo, sanctions are not the answer.

As a side note. I wonder what the reaction Bibi and other opponents would be if the framework agreement was applied to Israel?

Being it's ineffective, should be no problem.

[Norton]

recognize Israel

Would be good. Perhaps the US should persuade the 30+ other countries who have no diplomatic relationship with Israel to do the same. Close allies such SA, UAE, Qatar, Indonesia, Malaysia, to name but a few.

[Boon Mee]

Only reason I-ran has even come to the negotiating table is because the sanctions are working.

But, but after years of sanctions Bibi and some folks in Congress say Iran is only a few months away (or is it hours away) from having a nuc. Ergo, sanctions are not the answer.

As was posted earlier in rebuttal to sabangs same argument, I-ran has been 'months' away from the bomb but strange accidents along the way have slowed progress. Those dastardly Mossad people keep 'throwing wrenches in the works'.

There should be no sanctions relief if the centrifuges don't stop spinning, or if enriched uranium isn't shipped out of the country. No sanctions relief without recognition of Israel's right to exist full stop

[dobella]

It's not till June that the agreement gets signed if the Republicans sign into it and that is a big 'if'.
If it goes ahead then we can see many more 'Iranian Nuclear Scientists' involved in dying by car/or other accidents and even the odd assassination but it will absolutely not be condoned by Israel..., Mossad ?, none of their teams will be operating there for sure.
My chiropractor is Israeli and assures me that before the Mad Mullahs get even close then Israel will tell the United Nations, USA et al to get fucked and will do a unilateral on those stubble faced, peace haters.

[Neverna]

those stubble faced, peace haters.

Stubble faced, peace haters? Is that the new way to talk about Netanyahu and his chums?

[sabang]

^^ What a nasty thing to do to those folk that released the Hebe's from slavery all those years ago, and heralded a golden age for the short time that Israel actually existed. Why don't they just sell them shaving cream, instead? I suppose dear old Sheldon has an ample supply of cutthroat razors too.

[dobella]

Stubble faced, peace haters? Is that the new way to talk about Netanyahu and his chums?

He certainly is an obstacle to any peace with his aggressive land grabs but I guess to survive in that shithole region of the world then you have to show your guns or get out of town.
What a nice pleasant world this would be without that portion of the globe fucking it up worldwide.

[thaimeme]

Let's just do away with nukes worldwide.

What...? We're afraid of some [invented] nutter society that might obtain one or a few?

Please.
There are nothing short of nutter cultures that retain most of the nukes today.

[Dapper]

"IRAN IS THE TRIGGER TO GLOBAL DESTRUCTION!"

Next week...

"Iran is a wonderful and moderate country that understands our interests"



It's just a game.

Simple as.

[buriramboy]

If the final agreement ensures verifiable nuclear weapons controls, why not go with it? Beats the hell out of the alternatives.

How well did that method work with Saddam and he was a pussy compared to these Mad Mullahs?

You are aware that it was Iraq that invaded Iran I presume?

[Dapper]

^Don't push the old feller dude. Him and Willie Nelson. National icons.



And fcn respect where respects due.

[thaimeme]

If the final agreement ensures verifiable nuclear weapons controls, why not go with it? Beats the hell out of the alternatives.

How well did that method work with Saddam and he was a pussy compared to these Mad Mullahs?

You are aware that it was Iraq that invaded Iran I presume?

With the aid of their Anglo-American "brothers"....

[harrybarracuda]

If the final agreement ensures verifiable nuclear weapons controls, why not go with it? Beats the hell out of the alternatives.

How well did that method work with Saddam and he was a pussy compared to these Mad Mullahs?

And how well has it worked out deposing him?

[Boon Mee]

Obama: Why Sure Iran Will Have a Bomb Soon, But That's For My Successors to Deal With

Obama admits Iran nuclear deal only delays inevitable.

President Obama admitted Tuesday in a broadcast interview that his nuclear agreement with Iran only delays Tehran from eventually acquiring a weapon, which could come immediately after Year 13 of the agreement -- leaving the problem for future presidents.

Obama made the comments about Tehran's so-called "breakout time" in an interview with NPR News that aired Tuesday morning...

"What is a more relevant fear would be that in Year 13, 14, 15, they have advanced centrifuges that enrich uranium fairly rapidly, and at that point, the breakout times would have shrunk almost down to zero," Obama said.

The stark admission -- after his energy secretary even claimed the deal was a "forever agreement" -- came as the president seeks to quiet a growing chorus questioning whether the deal he and world leaders have negotiated merely delays the certainty of a nuclear-armed Iran."

Obama admits Iran nuclear deal only delays inevitable, leaves problem for future presidents | Fox News

Bibi better get those Mossad boys & girls into overtime, man