Iran ratifies nuclear deal; GOP critical of Tehran’s intentions
October 13, 2015, 5:58 pm

After Iran formally adopts the deal next week, it will begin implementing the tenets of the accord [Xinhua]

They say the conviction of Iranian American Jason Rezaian proves that Tehran can’t be trusted and that the nuclear deal has only strengthened the resolve of hardliners there.

“President Obama’s gamble that a nuclear deal would lead to a more responsible Iran has already failed. This sham of a trial violated every international standard and made a mockery of Iran’s own legal system,” Republican leaders said in a statement.

Their renewed criticism comes as Iran’s parliament on Tuesday ratified the nuclear deal with the expectation that it would be formally adopted on Monday.

But the parliament also warned the permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany that if sanctions are not lifted, or that there is any other similar violation of the deal, Iran would unilaterally speed up its uranium enrichment program.

The agreement announced during a news conference in Vienna attended by Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini last July stipulates that Iran will freeze its nuclear program for at least 10 years.

During this time, it will reduce its nuclear centrifuges (needed to produce fissile material for an atomic bomb) from 19,000 to 6,000.

The centrifuges would hold no fissile material, however.

Iran would also have to limit the amount of plutonium it produces in its nuclear reactors. The agreement also limits uranium enrichment at 3.67 per cent and limits the stockpile to 300 kg – all measures designed to limit Tehran’s capacity to weapon its nuclear program.

Iran has always maintained that its program is for civilian and peaceful purposes.

While Iran will be allowed to continue nuclear research, this will be only done at the Natanz site.

The agreement also contains provisions for intrusive international weapons inspections at Iranian nuclear and military sites.

In return for complying with these provisions, all UN Security Council sanctions in regards to Iran’s nuclear program will be lifted.

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani had previously said that the deal would usher in a new era between his country and the West.

The BRICS Post with inputs from Agencies