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Tag: Secretary of State John Kerry

  • Iran Nuclear Deal Purportedly Effective January 20

    The Iran nuclear deal that was agreed upon between the Middle Eastern nation and the six other world powers in November is now reported to be going into effect starting the 20th of January.

    President Barack Obama released a statement Sunday in which he attests, “Beginning January 20th, Iran will for the first time start eliminating its stockpile of higher levels of enriched uranium and dismantling some of the infrastructure that makes such enrichment possible.”

    The November deal that was finally struck after months of meetings and discussions between world officials requires Iran to greatly scale back its nuclear program and end uranium enrichment beyond 5%. The agreement also stipulates that Iran will not open any new enrichment facilities, and will begin destruction of their weapons-grade stockpile. In return, the United States and its negotiating partners agreed to provide Iran with billions of dollars in sanctions relief.

    When the plan was finally agreed upon in November, it was stated that Iran would be under surveillance for six months while a more thorough plan was constructed. However, those six months could not begin until the technical details surrounding such surveillance and monitoring could be worked out. After the initial half-year period, a more long-term and comprehensive course of action would begin when the details and strategies necessary for implementing such a plan were determined and agreed upon between Iran, the six world powers, and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

    Those initial six months are slated to begin January 20, 2014, as the necessary technicalities have been addressed, and the implementation phase can now move forward.

    Secretary of State John Kerry, who was in France in regards to a separate matter, commented on the latest details of the agreement, saying, “We are clear-eyed about the even greater challenges we all face in negotiating a comprehensive agreement. These negotiations will be very difficult, but they represent the best chance we have to resolve this critical national security issue peacefully, and durably.”

    At a conference held last month by the Saban Center for Middle East Policy, President Obama said that the odds of a compromise for a long-term plan being reached between Iran and the world powers is still no more than 50/50. However, according to ABC News, Mr. Obama has also said he will veto any new legislation regarding sanctions concerning Iran.

    Main image courtesy @WhiteHouse via Twitter.

  • U.S., Iran Finally Reach Nuclear Agreement

    U.S., Iran Finally Reach Nuclear Agreement

    After nearly a decade, America and five other world powers were able to finally reach a tentative agreement with Iran concerning their nuclear program.

    Secretary of State John Kerry left for Geneva to attempt to move negotiations along early yesterday – apparently, his efforts worked. Around 3:00 a.m. Sunday, the deal was signed.

    For two weeks, Kerry has been traveling to Geneva to try and finally reach an agreement with Iran. It has long-been a concern that Iran was enriching uranium at levels which would produce nuclear warheads. Iran has repeatedly denied this concern, saying that they only use the enriched uranium for ‘peaceful purposes’ and that they have a right to do so – under the nuclear nonproliferation treaty.

    Now, all entities have agree to a six-month plan in which Iran will cease enriching uranium beyond the 5% level that is enough for energy production, but not enough to produce material needed for the nuclear warheads. The agreement also states that Iran will convert their reserve of 20% enriched uranium; will not create any new enriching facilities, nor open any that are not already in operation. Also in the agreement, international auditing of cameras will be allowed daily at the enrichment facilities at Natanz and Fordo to ensure that Iran is holding up their end of the bargain. One other point of the deal says that the plant near Arak currently in construction – which would be able to produce plutonium – will halt, or at least no further reactor elements will be added.

    However, Iran did not agree to all aspects of what the U.S. was offering, such as allowing the International Atomic Energy Agency to closely monitor and invade the country to ensure no nuclear missiles are being produced. As well, the deal does not require Iran to shutdown their existing uranium-enriching facilities.

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    In return for Iran’s cooperation, the U.S. agreed to supply $6-$7 billion in sanctions relief.

    The Foreign Minister of Iran said that he hopes that this pact will be able to “restore” trust between Iran and the U.S., as the people of his country deserve Western respect.

    President Obama and Secretary Kerry both spoke about the agreement; Obama called the deal the “most significant and tangible” of such a feat.

    Secretary of State Kerry also discussed the conclusion of the decade-long negotiations, including the disappointment of Israel, who wanted the U.S. to stick to a much more stringent contract, ending uranium enrichment altogether. The U.S. assures, however, that Iranian persecution of Israel will not be a concern. Kerry said, “It will make our partners in the region safer. It will make our ally Israel safer.”

    The agreement was to be in effect for only a six-month time period, at which the nations will meet again. The U.S. is hoping this will lead to a more absolute and substantial pledge from Iran at the end of the six-month term.

    Main image courtesy RT via YouTube.