Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

Savannahmann

(3,891 posts)
Sat Apr 4, 2015, 05:46 AM Apr 2015

A question on the Iranian deal.

Sanctions against Iran have been governed by both US Law and United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1696, 1797, and 1929. These resolutions outline specific prohibitions including the following.

Iran could not participate in any activities related to ballistic missiles.
A ban on all countries providing military vehicles, aircraft or warships and missiles or missile systems and related materiel to Iran;
A ban on training, financing or assistance related to such arms and materiel and restraint over the sale of other arms and material to Iran;
A travel ban on individuals listed in the annexes of the resolution, with exceptions decided by the Committee established in Resolution 1737;
The freezing of funds and assets of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines.

All states were furthermore recommended to undertake the following:[4]

Inspect all cargo to and from Iran in accordance with the Convention on the Law of the Sea and civil aviation agreements for prohibited items and report within five days explanations for the search and the findings from such inspections;
The seizure and disposal of prohibited items;
Prevent the provision of fuel, supplies and servicing of Iranian vessels if they are involved in prohibited activities;
Provide information to the Committee concerning attempts to evade the sanctions by Iran Air or Iran Shipping Lines to other companies;
Prevent the provision of financial services that may be used for sensitive nuclear activities;
Exercise vigilance when dealing with Iranian individuals or entities if such business could contribute to Iran's sensitive nuclear activities;
Prohibit the opening of Iranian banks in their territory and prevent Iranian banks from entering into relationships with banks in their jurisdiction if there is reason to suspect the activities could contribute to sensitive proliferation activities in Iran;
Prevent financial institutions operating in their territories from opening offices and accounts in Iran if they would contribute to Iran's proliferation sensitive activities.


The conditions for lifting the sanctions, the barest short list shown above, in all three Resolutions passed by the Security Council of the UN was that the IAEA had to confirm that the Nuclear Program in Iran was specifically limited to peaceful power production and not weapons development in accordance with the Non Proliferation Agreement.

One of the things I haven't noticed is the findings of the International Atomic Energy Agency that Iran's program is peaceful power production. The last report I've found here states that Iran is not in compliance with the UN Security Council Resolutions. https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/gov2015-15.pdf

Previous reports by the Director General have identified outstanding issues related to possible
military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear programme and actions required of Iran to resolve these. The
Agency remains concerned about the possible existence in Iran of undisclosed nuclear related
activities involving military related organizations, including activities related to the development of a
nuclear payload for a missile. Iran is required to cooperate fully with the Agency on all outstanding
issues, particularly those which give rise to concerns about the possible military dimensions to Iran’s
nuclear programme, including by providing access without delay to all sites, equipment, persons and
documents requested by the Agency.


So the obvious question. Can the United States legally stop honoring the sanctions that have been placed on Iran if the conditions of the UN Security Council Resolutions? Don't we have to go to the UN Security Council and hold a vote that the Resolutions should be overturned?

While the 5+1 framework is progress, I honestly have no idea if it meets the requirements of the UN Security Council Resolutions that placed the sanctions on Iran in the first place. The last UN Security Council Resolution, 1929 was voted on in 2010, long after Bush had left Washington.

So my question is this. Does Iran have to satisfy the IAEA before the sanctions can be lifted? Or does this framework supersede those UN SC Resolutions? Because the last report makes it seem like the IAEA has a lot of questions about things before they'll sign off on the program or declare it in compliance with International agreements on Non Proliferation.
1 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
A question on the Iranian deal. (Original Post) Savannahmann Apr 2015 OP
The IAEA will be heavily involved in verifying the Iranian actions muriel_volestrangler Apr 2015 #1

muriel_volestrangler

(101,392 posts)
1. The IAEA will be heavily involved in verifying the Iranian actions
Sat Apr 4, 2015, 06:49 AM
Apr 2015
The tasks include:

Removal of the core of the heavy water reactor at Arak, rendering it inoperable.

Agreement to the application of the additional protocol, a regime of enhanced inspections carried out by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Cutting Iran’s installed centrifuges from about 19,000 to just over 6,000, of which slightly more than 5,000 would be used for enrichment. The remaining 13,000 would be disabled and put under IAEA seal.

Reduction of Iran’s stockpile of low-enriched uranium (LEU) from more than eight tonnes to just 300 kg, either by dilution or export.

Cooperation with an IAEA investigation into evidence of past work on nuclear weaponisation, specifically the granting of access for inspectors to suspect sites and people.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/03/bulk-of-iran-sanctions-to-be-lifted-upon-fufilment-of-lausanne-conditions

All 5 permanent Security Council members are in the talks (it's them, plus Germany; and Iran). If they agree the detailed implementation, it would be amazing if the non-permanent members managed to block any further resolution needed.

And the IAEA itself says:

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) welcomed a framework agreement on Iran's nuclear programme reached on Thursday, in which Iran is set to allow the agency more access to its nuclear sites.

"The IAEA welcomes the announcement by E3+3 and Iran on the key parameters for a joint Comprehensive Plan of Action," IAEA director general Yukiya Amano said in a statement. Six world powers and Iran have set a June 30 deadline for a final deal.

"With the endorsement of the IAEA's Board of Governors, the Agency will be ready to fulfil its role in verifying the implementation of nuclear related measures, once the agreement is finalised."

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/iaea-welcomes-iran-nuclear-framework-agreement-223431622.html#ggFp9yV
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»A question on the Iranian...