WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 (PNA/APP) — President Barack Obama has described the deal on halting Iranian nuclear program as a first step toward a comprehensive solution that verifiably confirms that Teheran cannot build an atomic bomb. Speaking from the White House, Obama said diplomacy, launched by his administration with heavily-sanctioned Iran, has opened up a new path toward a world that is more secure—a future in which we can verify that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful and that it cannot build a nuclear weapon.While today’s announcement is just a first step, it achieves a great deal.
For the first time in nearly a decade, we have halted the progress of the Iranian nuclear program, and key parts of the program will be rolled back, he stated, after U.S. represented by Secretary of State John Kerry and foreign policy chiefs of five major countries struck a deal with Iranian foreign minister in Geneva.
Under the deal, Iran has committed to halting certain levels of enrichment and neutralizing part of its stockpiles.
Iran cannot use its next-generation centrifuges, which are used for enriching uranium. Iran cannot install or start up new centrifuges, and its production of centrifuges will be limited.
Iran will halt work at its plutonium reactor. And new inspections will provide extensive access to Iran’s nuclear facilities and allow the international community to verify whether Iran is keeping its commitments, Obama explained.
According to The New York Times, in return for the initial agreement, the United States agreed to provide US$ 6 billion to US$ 7 billion in sanctions relief. Of this, roughly US$ 4.2 billion would be oil revenue that has been frozen in foreign banks.
The paper also reported that this limited sanctions relief can be accomplished by executive order, allowing the Obama administration to make the deal without having to appeal to U.S. Congress, where there is strong criticism of any agreement that does not fully dismantle Iran’s nuclear programme.
In his remarks, Obama said over the next six months, the U.S. and its allies will work to negotiate a comprehensive solution.
We approach these negotiations with a basic understanding: Iran, like any nation, should be able to access peaceful nuclear energy. But because of its record of violating its obligations, Iran must accept strict limitations on its nuclear program that make it impossible to develop a nuclear weapon.
In these negotiations, nothing will be agreed to unless everything is agreed to.
The burden is on Iran to prove to the world that its nuclear program will be exclusively for peaceful purposes.
If Iran seizes this opportunity, the Iranian people will benefit from rejoining the international community, and we can begin to chip away at the mistrust between our two nations.
This would provide Iran with a dignified path to forge a new beginning with the wider world based on mutual respect.
If, on the other hand, Iran refuses, it will face growing pressure and isolation, Obama added. (PNA/APP)