Iran nuclear deal: 'Historic' agreement reached in Vienna

Iran nuclear deal could change country's place in the world: Nahlah Ayed

Not since the collapse of the Soviet Union has a country of such strategic importance reset its terms of engagement with the rest of the world in such a transformative way....

Many critics seem to undervalue the significance of any country in the Middle East successfully negotiating anything while sitting at a table with world powers. They also seem to underestimate the psychological impact of even the appearance of said country doing so with its pride intact...

For once, though, it's the thousands upon thousands of average Iranians celebrating today at a chance of re-embracing the world who seem the loudest.

Iran's hardline, adversarial vision of the world has today acquired a visible chink.

"BartSimpson" said
Iran will test a nuclear weapon before December 31, 2020.

I'm going to see if I can get a wagering desk in Vegas to take the bet. If they do I'll post the slip here.

The agreement, which was finalized in Vienna, would lift international sanctions on Iran and permit it to continue key elements of its nuclear work, as well as research and development.

Iran will be permitted to continue spinning centrifuges, which are used to enrich uranium, the key component in a nuclear weapon. Western powers will also work with Iran to help it install and operate more advanced centrifuges, according to those apprised of the deal.

This concession�as well as a range of others made by the United States�has rattled analysts and lawmakers, who have maintained that Iran should not be permitted to retain the core aspects of a nuclear program.

Sanctions also will be lifted on Iran, including those on the country�s banks and financial sectors, which have long supported Iran�s nuclear program as well as its sponsorship of international terrorist groups.

In one of the most controversial concessions made by the Obama administration, a United Nations embargo on arms will also be lifted within around five years as part of the deal, according to multiple reports. A similar embargo on the construction of ballistic missiles, which could carry a nuclear payload, also will expire in around eight years under the deal.

Initial readings of the deal also indicate that Iran will be given the right to veto so-called �anywhere, anytime� inspections of Iranian nuclear sites. This concession has caused concern that Tehran will be able to continue hiding its nuclear work and potentially continue in secret along the pathway to a bomb.

Iran also will be permitted for a time to keep its military sites off limits to inspectors, who have long been unable to confirm the past dimensions and scope of Iran�s nuclear weapons work.

New resolutions by the U.N. Security Council will solidify most key aspects of the deal.

Initial Iranian state-controlled reports on the final text of the agreement claim that �the world powers recognize Iran�s civilian nuclear program, including the country�s right to the complete nuclear cycle.�

In addition, �none of the Iranian nuclear facilities will be dismantled or decommissioned� under the deal, according to Iran�s Fars News Agency.

As part of a sanctions relief package, �tens of billions of dollars in Iranian revenue frozen in foreign banks will be unblocked� and returned to the Islamic Republic

Secretary of State John Kerry, in remarks to reporters, declared that �this is the good deal that we have sought.�

Kerry also apologized for the years of economic sanctions leveled on Iran.

The fate of several Americans held in Iran, including a Washington Post journalist detained last July, remains separate from the historic nuclear deal announced Tuesday, even after U.S. officials repeatedly raised the issue with Tehran.

"PluggyRug" said
....and inspections can be delayed long enough for stuff to be removed.

This is cloud cuckoo land at it's best.