NUCLEAR FRAMEWORK AGREED WITH IRAN

The U.S., Iran and five world powers on Thursday reached a preliminary deal designed to contain Iran’s nuclear program, one that would restrict Iran’s ability to enrich uranium and subject it to international inspections, but which also would provide some sanctions relief for the Islamic Republic… “I am convinced that if this framework leads to a final deal, it will make our country and the world safer,” Obama said in a statement in the White House Rose Garden…  Obama struck a confident tone, directly engaging potential critics including Netanyahu and Republicans in Congress. Pointing to the possibility for military conflict should the talks ultimately fail, Obama said, “I welcome a robust debate.” That debate started immediately. Netanyahu, speaking several hours after the deal was announced, said “The concessions offered to Iran in Lausanne would ensure a bad deal that would endanger Israel, the Middle East and the peace of the world. Now is the time for the international community to insist on a better deal.”  More

 

State Department text of the Framework Agreement here

 

DON’T LET CONGRE$$ DERAIL THE US-IRAN DEAL! Tell Congress: Support Iran Nuclear Agreement  Tell your reps to support U.S. negotiators, oppose the hawks.   Statement from MASS PEACE ACTION here

 

Not surprisingly, the Congressional War Party, the Republicans, the Neocons, the Israel Lobby – and Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel – are freaking out and are mobilizing all-out to block the agreement.

 

Why Congress should give a nuclear deal with Iran a chance

This agreement – which the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France, plus Germany (known as the P5+1) and Iran hope to finalize by a deadline of June 30 – will undoubtedly make Americans and the world safer… The finalized agreement will include five major components:

• Decreasing the stockpile of material that could possibly be made into fissile material for 15 years. 
• Limiting the quantity (by two-thirds) and quality of centrifuges that could make highly enriched uranium needed for a nuclear bomb for 10 years. 
• Reconfiguring the nuclear reactor (and securing its spent fuel) in the city of Arak so it won’t produce any weapons-grade plutonium. 
• Implementing unprecedented and exhaustive inspections and comprehensive monitoring for 20 years or more. 
• And lastly, implementing the lifting of specific sanctions on Iran that, if Iran breaks the deal, will snap back into place.

An agreement with Iran on its nuclear program is better than any imaginable alternative.   More

 

Skeptical Senate Puts New Iran Sanctions on Hold But Pushes Other Obstacles

President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have won a three-month reprieve from the threat of additional Congressional sanctions on Iran with the announcement Thursday of a political framework for a nuclear agreement. The delay of the Kirk-Menendez bill doesn't mean the fight between the White House and Congress over Iran will wait until July -- quite the contrary. A bill written by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker that would mandate a Congressional review of any deal is still moving forward. The White House has warned that this legislation, too, would harm the negotiations… This week, Democratic Senator Mark Warner came out in support of the bill, bringing the rough whip count to 64 of the 67 needed votes to override Obama’s promised veto.  More

 

(More on the Iran Agreement below)