Nuclear pact’s fine print: A temporary halt in advances
By Joby Warrick, WashPost, Published: November 23
The plan accepted by Iran on Sunday would accomplish something that U.S. governments have sought in vain for more than a decade: A pause, at least, in Iran’s inexorable march to a nuclear-weapons capability.
The historic agreement, described as a first step toward a more comprehensive nuclear deal six months from now, freezes or reverses progress in nearly every aspect of Iran’s nuclear program, from the installation of new centrifuges to work on critical components of a heavy-water reactor that could someday provide Iran with a source of plutonium.
And, while Iran would be permitted to enrich uranium at low levels, its total stockpile of nuclear fuel would be frozen at current levels, according to Western officials familiar with details of the plan. That freeze, combined with dramatically increased monitoring of Iranian facilities, would make it virtually impossible for Iran to work on a nuclear weapon without being detected, the officials said. In return, Iran will receive modest sanctions relief and access to some of its frozen accounts overseas.
“The purpose of this is simple: To require Iran to prove the peaceful nature of its nuclear program and ensure that it cannot acquire a nuclear weapon,” Secretary of State John F. Kerry said.
(More here.)
The plan accepted by Iran on Sunday would accomplish something that U.S. governments have sought in vain for more than a decade: A pause, at least, in Iran’s inexorable march to a nuclear-weapons capability.
The historic agreement, described as a first step toward a more comprehensive nuclear deal six months from now, freezes or reverses progress in nearly every aspect of Iran’s nuclear program, from the installation of new centrifuges to work on critical components of a heavy-water reactor that could someday provide Iran with a source of plutonium.
And, while Iran would be permitted to enrich uranium at low levels, its total stockpile of nuclear fuel would be frozen at current levels, according to Western officials familiar with details of the plan. That freeze, combined with dramatically increased monitoring of Iranian facilities, would make it virtually impossible for Iran to work on a nuclear weapon without being detected, the officials said. In return, Iran will receive modest sanctions relief and access to some of its frozen accounts overseas.
“The purpose of this is simple: To require Iran to prove the peaceful nature of its nuclear program and ensure that it cannot acquire a nuclear weapon,” Secretary of State John F. Kerry said.
(More here.)
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