(Commentary) Jonathan S. Tobin - The interim deal fundamentally altered the dynamic of the negotiations in Iran's favor. Tehran is currently negotiating as if both the potential use of force by the West and the impact of sanctions are not major factors. The two sides are not negotiating about whether the Iranians will have the capacity to build a bomb. That was already substantially conceded in the November interim deal when the West tacitly granted Iran the "right" to enrich uranium. The only variable is how long it will take for Iran to reactivate their stockpile of nuclear fuel any time they like - a breakout. Iran knows the only two possible outcomes of the talks are a breakdown that will let them get to a bomb or an agreement that will allow them to get to their nuclear ambition a bit more slowly.
2014-05-23 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive