The Iran Deal
The self-styled deal maker is a deal-breaker when it comes to the historic agreement limiting Iranian uranium enrichment in return for the lifting of sanctions. Trump refused to certify Iranian compliance and passed the ball to Congress which now must decide. But the UN monitoring agency has determined that Tehran is adhering to the conditions agreed to. Does the U.S. have evidence indicating otherwise? Why is Trump now abrogating the deal and insulting Iran as “a rogue state.” Iran, once in Washington’s hip pocket under the Shah, broke away with its 1979 Islamic Revolution. The U.S. has been hostile ever since. If the deal collapses why would any country, say North Korea, enter into an agreement with Washington? It changes what has been negotiated post-facto. In this case, the old saw applies, If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Interview by David Barsamian.
Recorded at the University of Denver.
Speaker
Trita Parsi
Trita Parsi was president of the National Iranian American Council. He is the co-founder and Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute. He is the author of Losing an Enemy: Obama, Iran & the Triumph of Diplomacy. He is a contributor to David Barsamian’s Retargeting Iran book.
Jenny Caulfield –
The crafting of the Iran deal is described here not in 140 characters but in the nuances that allowed all parties to sign on. USA being in violation of the agreement does not make the world a safer place. Excellent presentation.