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It's Time for Plan B on Iran

(Bloomberg) Editorial - Negotiations to revive the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran have reached yet another impasse. Although the deal may not be dead just yet, the U.S. should act as though it is. The IAEA estimates that Iran now has more than enough uranium enriched to 60% - a short step from weapons-grade - to build a nuclear weapon, and can add to that stockpile relatively quickly. The proposed pact has not been lengthened or strengthened in any way: Key provisions begin to lapse in a couple of years. Nor would it address Iran's burgeoning missile and drone programs, or its support for violent proxies such as Hizbullah. Given that, the U.S. will arguably need to take many of the same actions to contain the Iranian threat whether the 2015 deal is resurrected or not. Shifting to a Plan B now might help persuade Iran to back off its most unreasonable demands - and will put the U.S. in a better position to deal with the consequences if it doesn't. The U.S. should thus work harder to close sanctions loopholes that have allowed Iran to continue to sell millions of barrels of oil, primarily to China. Deal or no deal, the challenge of confronting Iran's malign activities across the Middle East will remain. When challenged by Iranian proxies, the U.S. should hit back harder and faster. Most important, the U.S. should make sure Iran understands that its patience isn't infinite. The White House should also support Israel's right to defend itself, including by speeding delivery of key systems such as refueling tankers for long-range air strikes, and should continue to conduct joint exercises to prepare for a conflict.
2022-09-15 00:00:00
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