U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said today it was premature to talk about easing sanctions on Iran until the Iranians show tangible evidence that they are moving away from nuclear weapons capacity. Lew made the comments during an appearance at NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday.
“It is premature to talk about any changes… What I am saying is we need to see that they are taking the steps to move away from having nuclear weapons capacity… We need to see real, tangible evidence of it, and we will not make moves in the sanctions until we see those kinds of moves,” Lew said. (NBC, 20 October)
“We need to see (the Iranians) rolling back their nuclear program, and I can tell you that when the time comes, when those movements come… changes (related to sanctions) will have to be proportionate,” Lew added.
On Saturday, Tehran’s hard right Mashreq news site had reported that during the Geneva talks on Tuesday and Wednesday, the P5+1 had asked Iran to slow production of low-enriched uranium at Natanz and Fordo, and limiting its stockpile to 10,000 kg (22,000 pounds). The P5+1 also wanted Iran to stop enriching uranium at 20-percent purity and convert its current stockpile of 20-percent enriched uranium into fuel rod for its research reactor, which would not be suitable for nuclear weapons production.
Mashreq also reported that the P5+1 wanted Iran to sign IAEA’s Additional Protocol, allowing its inspectors to much more closely monitor the country’s nuclear program. The website did not say if delaying the completion of Arak plutonium-based reactor was also part of P5+1 demands, as already reported elsewhere.
On Saturday, Tehran’s hard right Mashreq news site had reported that during the Geneva talks on Tuesday and Wednesday, the P5+1 had asked Iran to slow production of low-enriched uranium at Natanz and Fordo, and limiting its stockpile to 10,000 kg (22,000 pounds). The P5+1 also wanted Iran to stop enriching uranium at 20-percent purity and convert its current stockpile of 20-percent enriched uranium into fuel rod for its research reactor, which would not be suitable for nuclear weapons production.
Mashreq also reported that the P5+1 wanted Iran to sign IAEA’s Additional Protocol, allowing its inspectors to much more closely monitor the country’s nuclear program. The website did not say if delaying the completion of Arak plutonium-based reactor was also part of P5+1 demands, as already reported elsewhere.
However, the report by Mashreq and Secretary Lew’s comments today support previous speculations that if Iran could positively and verifiably show that it will dismantle any nuclear capabilities that could be used in building the bomb, the West is ready to recognize a peaceful program build around construction of nuclear power reactors.
7 comments:
yes, if there is demonstrated proof that if the facilities that could be used to produce nuclear weapons are dismantled, not simply that activities are suspended, the sanctions would be lifted.
"Iran could positively and verifiably show that it will dismantle any nuclear capabilities that could be used in building the bomb"
That would mean surrendering it's right to the nuclear fuel cycle, which is a non-starter.
Exactly. Don't get conned by these rug salesmen
And as earlier Victoria Nuland: a represntative of the US administration said, that any rockets' launches also violate the UN resolutions, "intended" to limit Iranian (possible) nuclear capacities....
So it looks like the Iranian space program is another piece of following requirements to "castrate" the Islamic Republic from its might.
more total fanboy dishonesty and crap......
demonstrating that all Iranian nuclear development is for civilian purposes and in conformity with Khamanei's claims and with Iran's NPT obligations damn sure isn't the same as surrendering.
twist, slant and spin all day long, fanboy, but you do no more than dishonor yourself.
you're a non-starter. and your claim is dishonest and untruthful
AnonymousOctober 21, 2013 at 1:52 PM
The quote said "dismantle" not "demonstrate",Iran has demonstrated all these things for the longest time mr malcontent but for the west that was never enough,the wests demand was zero enrichment and the dismantling of irans nuclear program,they would not even tolerate one centrifuge spinning,it now appears that they have reconciled themselves to the reality that iranian enrichment will continue and that sanctions will not stop irans nuclear program or achieve an iranian surrender,but it still remains to be seen if the west has more "reasonable" goals and whether iran can live with them
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