Council of Councils
Think Global Health
Online Store
Introduction
Over the last several decades, governments have collectively pledged to slow global warming. But despite intensified diplomacy, the world is already facing the consequences of climate…
Iran’s Nuclear Deal: Three Things to Know
July 17, 2015 9:13 am (EST)
- Explainer Video
Talks over Iran’s nuclear program have concluded with a deal that will limit Iran’s nuclear capabilities in exchange for relief from economic and financial sanctions. Before the sanctions are lifted, Iran must show that it has implemented agreed-upon restrictions. CFR Senior Fellow Philip Gordon offers three things to know about the recent agreement.
More From Our Experts
Approval Required: The UN Security Council and U.S. Congress must approve the deal, which will take two months, says Gordon. Then the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) must verify that Iran has provided information on its nuclear work and eliminated two-thirds of its centrifuges, the core of its heavy-water nuclear reactor, and several tons of low-enriched uranium before sanctions are lifted. “This process will take several more months at least,” says Gordon.
Verification is Crucial: “The international community is not ready to simply trust Iran,” says Gordon, highlighting examples of past Iranian violations. The deal, which calls for strict monitoring, also includes a mechanism that allows major powers to reinstate sanctions without needing to overcome a potential veto in the Security Council. “If Iran cheats, the deal is off, and the sanctions are back on,” explains Gordon.
No Good Alternative: “The alternative to this deal is not necessarily a better deal, but, potentially, no deal at all,” says Gordon. If the U.S. Congress kills the deal, Iran could install new centrifuges, construct a heavy-water reactor, and enrich uranium—all without submitting to the monitoring and verification called for by the agreement.
More From Our Experts
Top Stories on CFR
Organized crime’s hold on local governments fuels record election violence; Europe’s cocaine pipeline shifting to the Southern Cone.
John Barrientos, a captain in the U.S. Navy and a visiting military fellow at CFR, and Kristen Thompson, a colonel in the U.S. Air Force and a visiting military fellow at CFR, sit down with James M. Lindsay to provide an inside view on how the U.S. military is adapting to the challenges it faces.
The Myanmar army is experiencing a rapid rise in defections and military losses, posing questions about the continued viability of the junta’s grip on power.