One Year Since the Iran Nuclear Deal

On July 14th, 2015 the world was informed that the P5+1 and the Islamic Republic of Iran had concluded their talks and announced the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA a.k.a. Iran Nuclear Deal.) The “deal” was most certainly a deal for Iran, but for the P5 + 1, it was a concession.

These are the simplified provisions of the JCPOA: Iran reduced its stockpile of enriched uranium (shipped it out of the country, but was able to keep obtaining uranium ore); Iran kept its centrifuges; Iran did not have to dismantle any nuclear facilities; Iran received billions of dollars in frozen funds and sanctions relief; Iran can refuse access to military sites (except one tour of Parchin) and delay access to known nuclear sites of to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); that the Arms Embargo would be lifted in less than five years; that the embargo on Iranian ballistic missiles would expire in eight years or less; the West will help Iran expand its “peaceful” nuclear infrastructure; the West will instruct Iran on how to thwart and detect threats to its nuclear program; that nuclear–related sanctions on individuals and organizations will be lifted; that the U.S. federal government would encourage state or local level officials to conduct business with Iran.

So what did the United States gain from this? Nothing. Iran will still be able to obtain nuclear weapons in a relatively short amount of time.

After Iran received the consent of the international community to develop its nuclear program, one would expect that the Iranians would be on their best behavior. Yet, since the signing of the JCPOA, Iran has continued its support for terrorism, protests against America and Israel, suppression of human rights, acts of military aggression, violations of international law, and other hostile acts.

What specifically has Iran been doing since the signing of the JCPOA one year ago?

In the days following the deal, according to the intelligence community, Iran was sanitizing its Parchin military nuclear site before the IAEA was to come and inspect the site. In June of this year, the Obama administration concluded that uranium particles discovered at Parchin were tied to Iran’s past, covert nuclear weapons program. But still the deal stands.

On November 4, 2015, Iran hosted its annual “Death to America Day” commemorating the siege of the American embassy. This is a day to celebrate Iran’s absolute hatred for America and all the values America stands for.

January 16th, 2016 marked Implementation Day, the day Iran began to receive the frozen funds and unprecedented sanctions relief. People and Iranian entities that received sanctions relief and who were removed from the Specially Designated Nationals list of the U.S. Treasury department are also under sanctions for their terrorism-related activities; but their involvement for funding or supporting terrorism did not stop them from receiving sanctions relief.

Iran flexed its diplomatic muscles by seizing two U.S. naval vessels and detaining 10 United States sailors. The sailors were humiliated, intimidated, and forced to publically “apologize.” The Iranians knew that President Obama would do all that it would take to preserve and nurture the nuclear deal, so they tested him just to be sure, and it worked.

Iranian Al-Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani violated standing travel bans by traveling to Russia to meet with President Putin. They were discussing and finalizing the sale of S-300 air defense systems.

Iran continues to be the leading state sponsor of terrorism all over the globe, and continues to violate a whole score of its citizens’ human rights.

Iran currently holds two American citizens in prison, and the location of Robert Levinson is still unknown.

On July 1st, 2016, Iran held its annual Al-Quds Day, when Iranians chant “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” and display their hatred of both by burning the American flag and the Israeli flag, along with pictures of President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu. But through all this, the deal still stands.

So here we are, one year since the JCPOA and Iran is far from having a spotless record. But still the deal stands. Americans should be increasingly critical of the Iranian nuclear deal as it is clear that Iran has no desire to see the United States, or any of the P5 + 1 powers, prosper. The Iranian regime is taking advantage of the United States, and the regime has to be stopped — their behavior should be deemed unacceptable.

Originally published at American Thinker: https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2016/07/one_year_since_the_iran_nuclear_deal.html