Deal reached on Iranian nuclear program

[ChiefsandO'sfan]

DEVELOPING: A deal between six world powers and Iran has been struck, Fox News confirms.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said, `'Yes, we have a deal," as he walked past reporters crowding the hotel lobby where marathon negotiations had taken place over the past five days.

Asked if there was a deal, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said `'Yes" and gave a thumbs up sign.

The goal had been to hammer out an agreement to freeze Iran's nuclear program for six months, while offering the Iranians limited relief from crippling economic sanctions. If the interim deal holds, the parties will negotiate final-stage agreements to ensure Iran does not build nuclear weapons.

The deal came after the personal intervention by Secretary of State John Kerry and other foreign ministers whose presence had raised hopes for a breakthrough.

Diplomats refused to spell out details of the talks, which dragged on past midnight and into early Sunday.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/11...clear-program/

[Fairplay]

Originally Posted by patteeu

Wouldn't it suck to have Obama as an ally?

You wouldn't need any enemies that's for sure.

Look as he does a scene straight out of the Godfather, he wraps a chain around the neck of one of his victims.

[cosmo20002]

Originally Posted by Fairplay

You wouldn't need any enemies that's for sure.

Look as he does a scene straight out of the Godfather, he wraps a chain around the neck of one of his victims.

Did something bad happen to Ernie Banks?

One of the nicest HOFers I've ever met. I've been around him a few times, and every time he endlessly signed autographs and posed for pictures for every person that wanted one.

You're saying Obama put a hit out on him?

[Direckshun]

I think this is a really smart deal. It mandates 6 more months of talks, gets Iran's economy going a little bit more, and allows inspections.

It's an excellent foundation to build from.

I'm willing to bet this gets confirmed in the Senate with at least 1/3 of the GOP supporting.

[patteeu]

It's a really smart deal if you want a nuclear Iran and eventually even more widespread proliferation.

[KILLER_CLOWN]

Originally Posted by Chris616

It's my observation the KJV was the weapon of choice when ti came to justifying killing savages. Something about that ol KJV that really stirrs up the need to kill . Red letter and all.

Seriously Chris?

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by patteeu

It's a really smart deal if you want a nuclear Iran and eventually even more widespread proliferation.

Actually, no deal at all would be the faster track to that.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Actually, no deal at all would be the faster track to that.

This deal does virtually nothing to reverse the enrichment processing capability of Iran and indeed allows it to continue to advance (e.g. continuing to install newer, better centrifuges). It does nothing to limit the other aspects of Iran's nuclear weapon development (e.g. ballistic missile tech). Meanwhile, it gives Iran relief from sanctions that can't be taken away and makes it unlikely that a new sanctions regime could quickly be re-implemented if at all.

What we get is a promise to limit the amount and purity of the domestically enriched product. That was Iran's going-in position two or three years ago.

This is a big fail in a long line of big fails by this administration.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by patteeu

and indeed allows it to continue to advance (e.g. continuing to install newer, better centrifuges).

I don't think that's accurate.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Donger

I don't think that's accurate.

I don't see anything in the agreement you posted that prevents it. Certainly nothing that prevents them from replacing old centrifuges with newer ones.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by patteeu

I don't see anything in the agreement you posted that prevents it. Certainly nothing that prevents them from replacing old centrifuges with newer ones.

1
Namely, during the 6 months, Iran will not feed UF6 into the centrifuges installed but not enriching uranium. Not install additional centrifuges. Iran announces that during the first 6 months, it will replace existing centrifuges with centrifuges of the same type.

2
At Fordow, no further enrichment over 5% at 4 cascades now enriching uranium, and not increase enrichment capacity. Not feed UF6 into the other 12 cascades, which would remain in a non-operative state. No interconnections between cascades. Iran announces that during the first 6 months, it will replace existing centrifuges with centrifuges of the same type.

[Donger]

I think the more important aspect of this deal is how the 20% enriched uranium is dealt with:

From the existing uranium enriched to 20%, retain half as working stock of 20% oxide
for fabrication of fuel for the TRR. Dilute the remaining 20% UF6 to no more than 5%.
No reconversion line.

Iran announces that it will not enrich uranium over 5% for the duration of the 6 months.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Donger

1
Namely, during the 6 months, Iran will not feed UF6 into the centrifuges installed but not enriching uranium. Not install additional centrifuges. Iran announces that during the first 6 months, it will replace existing centrifuges with centrifuges of the same type.

2
At Fordow, no further enrichment over 5% at 4 cascades now enriching uranium, and not increase enrichment capacity. Not feed UF6 into the other 12 cascades, which would remain in a non-operative state. No interconnections between cascades. Iran announces that during the first 6 months, it will replace existing centrifuges with centrifuges of the same type.

I didn't say install additional centrifuges. I said they can still install improved centrifuges. Replacing older with newer, even of the "same type", makes it true. How much that constitutes improvement rather than simple maintenance of the status quo is debatable, but "same type" isn't very specific.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Donger

I think the more important aspect of this deal is how the 20% enriched uranium is dealt with:

From the existing uranium enriched to 20%, retain half as working stock of 20% oxide
for fabrication of fuel for the TRR. Dilute the remaining 20% UF6 to no more than 5%.
No reconversion line.

Iran announces that it will not enrich uranium over 5% for the duration of the 6 months.

Important in what respect? Important that if we can't verify compliance (and prevent cheating, which Iran has repeatedly engaged in over the past couple of decades) that we barely eek out an agreement that Iran offered to make years ago, back when they were much farther from breakout territory than they are today?

[Donger]

Originally Posted by patteeu

I didn't say install additional centrifuges. I said they can still install improved centrifuges. Replacing older with newer, even of the "same type", makes it true. How much that constitutes improvement rather than simple maintenance of the status quo is debatable, but "same type" isn't very specific.

You wrote: "e.g. continuing to install newer, better centrifuges"

The language is pretty clear that installing "newer, better" centrifuges isn't acceptable.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by patteeu

Important in what respect? Important that if we can't verify compliance (and prevent cheating, which Iran has repeatedly engaged in over the past couple of decades) that we barely eek out an agreement that Iran offered to make years ago, back when they were much farther from breakout territory than they are today?

Important with respect to 20% enriched uranium is much further along the way to WG than 5% is. If Iran complies with this part and it can be verified, it's a good thing, plain and simple.

Don't get me wrong, Pat. I don't trust the Iranians at all on this. Inspection and verification is key. I think they'll try to re-neg on this deal, though, as they have before.