No, Iran Does Not Break The Nuclear Deal (Updated)
Updated below
---
Here is some fakenews from the Guardian which falsely claims that Iran breaks the nuclear deal.
Iran today announced that its stockpile of low enriched uranium now exceeds the 300 kilogram of enriched uranium hexafluoride (UF6) level set out as a limit in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (pdf).
But Iran does that within the frame of the JCPOA. It is not breaching it. Article 26 of the joint plan states that the U.S. will refrain from reimposing sanctions and that Iran will react in case that happens:
The United States will make best efforts in good faith to sustain this JCPOA and to prevent interference with the realisation of the full benefit by Iran of the sanctions lifting specified in Annex II. The U.S. Administration, acting consistent with the respective roles of the President and the Congress, will refrain from re-introducing or re-imposing the sanctions specified in Annex II that it has ceased applying under this JCPOA, without prejudice to the dispute resolution process provided for under this JCPOA. The U.S. Administration, acting consistent with the respective roles of the President and the Congress, will refrain from imposing new nuclear-related sanctions. Iran has stated that it will treat such a re-introduction or re-imposition of the sanctions specified in Annex II, or such an imposition of new nuclear-related sanctions, as grounds to cease performing its commitments under this JCPOA in whole or in part.
On May 8 2018 the United States broke the JCPOA when it reimposed sanctions on Iran. Iran can not "break" a deal that the U.S. already broke.
Additionally on May 3 2019 the State Department removed sanction waivers that allowed Iran to export low enriched uranium in exchange for natural uranium:
In addition, any involvement in transferring enriched uranium out of Iran in exchange for natural uranium will now be exposed to sanctions. The United States has been clear that Iran must stop all proliferation-sensitive activities, including uranium enrichment, and we will not accept actions that support the continuation of such enrichment.We will also no longer permit the storage for Iran of heavy water it has produced in excess of current limits; any such heavy water must not be made available to Iran in any fashion.
This step by the Trump administration was obviously designed to bring Iran into a situation where it would have to either stop enrichment, or accumulate a stockpile larger than the 300 kilogram foreseen in the JCPOA.
Iran can no longer export low enriched Uranium. Iran does not want to give up its "inalienable right" to enrich uranium guaranteed under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Iran thus began to accumulate enriched uranium under the above clause of the JCPOA.
On June 17 Iran announced that it would exceed the stockpile limit by June 27. It took a few days longer but it now happened.
The JCPOA clearly states that Iran would take this step if and when the U.S. breaches the agreement by imposing new sanctions. That Iran is now exceeding one of the limits JCPOA sets out is not in breach of the agreement but in adherence to its letters.
A 'diplomatic editor' who does not understand that should seek a different profession.
Update 3:00PM EDT
Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif just pointed out that the primary Iran's legal reason for its move is the unwillingness of the European 3 (UK, France and Germany) to stick to their commitment under the nuclear deal.
Javad Zarif @JZarif - 17:43 utc - 1 Jul 2019We have NOT violated the #JCPOA. Para 36 of the accord illustrates why: We triggered & exhausted para 36 after US withdrawal. We gave E3+2 a few weeks while reserving our right. We finally took action after 60 weeks. As soon as E3 abide by their obligations, we'll reverse.
When the U.S. left the agreement Iran used the Dispute Resolution Mechanism in paragraph 36 of the JCPOA. That paragraph calls for a joint commission to decide on the issue. The commission met in Brussels in July 2018 and promised to further support the deal.
The 6 July 2018 Statement from the Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in which the EU-3 committed themselves to uphold their side of the deal despite the U.S. breach said:
6.The participants recognised that, in return for the implementation by Iran of its nuclear-related commitments, the lifting of sanctions, including the economic dividends arising from it, constitutes an essential part of the JCPOA.
...
8.The participants affirmed their commitment regarding the following objectives in good faith and in a constructive atmosphere:- the maintenance and promotion of wider economic and sectoral relations with Iran;
- the preservation and maintenance of effective financial channels with Iran;
- the continuation of Iran’s export of oil and gas condensate, petroleum products and petrochemicals;
...
The EU-3 did not fulfill those commitments.
The Dispute Resolution Mechanism in paragraph 36 of the JCPOA states:
If the issue still has not been resolved [by the joint commission] to the satisfaction of the complaining participant, and if the complaining participant deems the issue to constitute significant non-performance, then that participant could treat the unresolved issue as grounds to cease performing its commitments under this JCPOA in whole or in part and/or notify the UN Security Council that it believes the issue constitutes significant non-performance.
This legal argument is even stronger than the argument under paragraph 26 discussed above.
Posted by b on July 1, 2019 at 16:03 UTC | Permalink
next page »Ho hum. We knew it would happen, and we had a good idea it would be lied about by the usual suspects.
Posted by: karlof1 | Jul 1 2019 16:30 utc | 2
happy canada from the cbc - Iran breaches 2015 nuclear deal's stockpile limit, UN agency says you know yer in trouble when even the national news agency can't get it right, or wants to put it on the un agency..
Posted by: james | Jul 1 2019 16:30 utc | 3
that was meant to be happy canada day and in fairness they are just offering up a wire from Thomson Reuters...
Posted by: james | Jul 1 2019 16:31 utc | 4
“Therefore, you always have to ask yourself: Why do I get this
specific information, in this specific form, at this specific moment?
Ultimately, these are always questions about power.” (*)
Dr. Konrad Hummler, Swiss banking and media executive
https://swprs.org/the-propaganda-multiplier/
Posted by: james | Jul 1 2019 16:35 utc | 5
B, when will we stop consideration for these cheap Main Sewerage Media cretins, who are bought for a few shekels to blabber and excrete for the brainless masses. I always have a giggle when I come across The Guardian’s begging for money from the objects of their propaganda: pay to be brainwashed into Zionazi truths. It is the Zionazi holy grail - self financed brainwashing of the goy. I am sure that every cretenic servant does not deserve an article by you, even when we know that many other will copy the talking points from this one and make an “established fact” out of it..
At least this one is honest to disqualify himself from being read by putting a revealing title - I would have stopped all consideration right there. Life is too short to read hogwash and swill.
B is living in the past by giving MSM much more credit than most of the readers here would do.
Posted by: Kiza | Jul 1 2019 16:35 utc | 6
Put yourself in “journalist’s” shoes for a moment. Maybe your partner wants a holiday/vacation in Majorca. Are you going to write something that the masters of the purse could consider controversial or something that would please them to add a bonus to your miserable base salary? You started prostituting yourself the moment you joined MSM, once your mental virginity was gone, spewing emptiness became the new normal. You are competing against an army of similar “journalists” prepared to flip the phrase ever more ruthlessly to create an even greater stupidity for mass consumption. Just keep flipping, better words than hamburger patties, nobody expects anything different from you any more.
Posted by: Kiza | Jul 1 2019 16:53 utc | 7
When will folks realize Russia is not some savior from the zionist?
Israel’s Latest Strikes in Syria Prove that the US-Russia-Israel Jerusalem National Security Summit Was a Success
https://www.globalresearch.ca/israels-latest-strikes-syria-prove-jerusalem-summit-success/5682331
The US based media has been particularly uniform in its mis-reporting of this issue. One must assume the hawks in the administration and the media will now play up breathless "countdown to the Iranian bomb" and "nuclear breakout" scare stories. The American public is less uniformed than they are deliberately misinformed.
Posted by: jayc | Jul 1 2019 17:09 utc | 9
It’s Official, “Israel” Is Now A Joint Russian-American Protectorate
Posted by: o | Jul 1 2019 17:16 utc | 10
@james 3
CBC stopped doing any of it's own international reporting several years ago and just started buying it's stories from the US. At that point there stopped being any reason for the CBC to exist.
Posted by: BraveNewWorld | Jul 1 2019 17:26 utc | 11
Now that Israel has what it wanted, I am expecting Israel and the US to hit the Iranian nuclear sites in the near future as Lindsey Graham said was going to happen.
Posted by: BraveNewWorld | Jul 1 2019 17:29 utc | 12
To the US elites there is the less important reality and the more important false narratives they push in the MSM that they own and control.
That the MSM obviously and in our faces pushes agitprop and disinformation that the people like puppets in a maze blindly accept continues to amaze me.
Posted by: AriusArmenian | Jul 1 2019 17:32 utc | 13
Here is some off topic old fashioned real journalism worth reading: John Helmer on how Ukro Zionazis cooperated with their US cousins to rip off and launder US$3.5-5B from $11B of IMF and other Western loans to Ukraine. From Central Bank of Ukraine, through Cyprus, to Delaware. Kolomoyski as the head of the gang, with IMF officials involved. Most of the money was hidden back in US.
http://johnhelmer.org/the-kolomoisky-pyramid-started-with-hillary-clinton-and-victoria-nuland-of-the-state-department-plus-christine-lagarde-of-the-imf/#more-20470
Naturally, Kolomoyski is now a victim, aren’t they just always professional victims.
Posted by: Kiza | Jul 1 2019 17:40 utc | 14
@O 8
Until USA start making peace with Russia i doubt Israel can enjoy both side protection. Russia in Syria because it's in security interest and which it was one of the stepping stone the USA expect to step over in gaining full advantages of launching first strike into Russia. As long as Russia facing existential threat lead by USA i doubt they would want to sells out it's allies.
I can agree that Syria should get used to it and start searching through the region of better allies it can count on. Imitating Quds forces of finding, supporting, and allying with resistances that see common goal with themselves is the only effective measure it can take for now.
Posted by: HW. | Jul 1 2019 17:51 utc | 15
The US did not "leave" the nuclear deal.
No, the broke it.
They violated both the deal and the UN Security Council resolution that put it in force.
Posted by: Petri Krohn | Jul 1 2019 17:56 utc | 16
Alastair Crooke examines the series of flawed assumptions standing as Trump's Iran policy in what's a somewhat tardy article. Yet, it provides a good review and an excellent recap of what Khamenei said to Abe that I'd previously linked to but many probable didn't bother to read. However, sometimes I think Khamenei tries to be too cleaver and says something that could be used against him and his nation:
"'Ayatollah Khamenei noting Shinzo’s assertion that the US intends to prevent Iran’s production of nuclear weapons said, 'We are opposed to the nuclear weapons and my religious Fatwa bans production of nuclear weapons; but you should know that if we intended to produce nuclear weapons, the US could do nothing; and its non-permission [would] not be any obstacle.'" [My Emphasis]
I understand his motivation for uttering those words, but IMO they were unwise. Pride, like hubris, can be dangerous.
Just a few minutes ago, Zarif tweeted Iran has NOT violated anything just as b noted, while putting pressure on the E3:
"We have NOT violated the #JCPOA.
Para 36 of the accord illustrates why:
We triggered & exhausted para 36 after US withdrawal.
We gave E3+2 a few weeks while reserving our right.
We finally took action after 60 weeks.
As soon as E3 abide by their obligations, we'll reverse."
I doubt May will do anything, so that leaves it up to Merkel and Macron.
Posted by: karlof1 | Jul 1 2019 17:56 utc | 17
I think that on this Canada Day it is worth noting another deplorable feature of the CBC article on Iran's enrichment of uranium.
The CBC dutifully quotes an Israeli spokesperson who piously laments the possibility that Iran might develop a nuclear bomb and thus destabilize the region. Neither this commentator nor the CBC mention make any mention of the fact that Israel already possesses hundreds of such bombs.
Posted by: Roger Milbrandt | Jul 1 2019 18:21 utc | 19
@12 BraveNewWorld.. pretty much...
@19 roger.. what i find interesting is how the cbc news page decides what can be commented on, and what can't... this one can't be commented on.. generally when comments are open on these type articles, the article gets hammered by canucks like me who call bullshit on it... whoever is head overseer of the cbc news is careful on what commenters can comment on, or not..
@ petri... i think that is a really critical bit of info you mention.. the usa broke it.. the very same thing they have done to countries around the globe - broken them, and not shown any interest in keeping them together...
Posted by: james | Jul 1 2019 18:26 utc | 20
This Iranian Commander Kept Secret That Israeli F-35 Stealth Fighters Had Violated Iran Airspace
Posted by: ninel | Jul 1 2019 18:38 utc | 21
Anyone know anything about Iran's actual exports of enriched uranium? For example, which country did Iran export its uranium to? How many times?
Posted by: ninel | Jul 1 2019 18:47 utc | 22
Not only does Iran have an "inalienable right" to enrich uranium, it also has a right to ship enriched uranium, so the US State Dept "any involvement in transferring enriched uranium out of Iran in exchange for natural uranium will now be exposed to sanctions" expressly violates the NPT by "hampering development of the Parties or international co-operation in the field of peaceful nuclear activities."
Under NPT Article III (3) treaty parties should "avoid hampering the economic or technological development of the Parties or international co-operation in the field of peaceful nuclear activities, including the international exchange of nuclear material and equipment for the processing, use or production of nuclear material for peaceful purposes in accordance with the provisions of this Article and the principle of safeguarding set forth in the Preamble of the Treaty." . .here
The NPT preamble includes:
>Undertaking to co-operate in facilitating the application of International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards on peaceful nuclear activities,
>Affirming the principle that the benefits of peaceful applications of nuclear technology, including any technological by-products which may be derived by nuclear-weapon States from the development of nuclear explosive devices, should be available for peaceful purposes to all Parties to the Treaty, whether nuclear-weapon or non-nuclear-weapon States,
>Convinced that, in furtherance of this principle, all Parties to the Treaty are entitled to participate in the fullest possible exchange of scientific information for, and to contribute alone or in co-operation with other States to, the further development of the applications of atomic energy for peaceful purposes,
Posted by: Don Bacon | Jul 1 2019 18:51 utc | 23
@ ninel 21
re: Israeli F-35 Stealth Fighters Had Violated Iran Airspace in March 2018
Baloney
That is silly propaganda supposedly taken from a Kuwaiti newspaper, now appearing in the National Interest, a lousy defense rag that regularly promotes the expensive incapable fault-ridden F-35, not unusual in the US, now with the NI author concluding "The power of stealth demonstrated.". . .The check is in the mail to the author, certainly, so probably this practice will probably continue to seduce lazy readers.
Posted by: Don Bacon | Jul 1 2019 19:07 utc | 24
Don Bacon @23--
Great find Don! Looks like this will soon be discussed at UNSC with the Outlaw US Empire having no grounds on which to mount a defense. Perhaps this will set the table for the UNGA to take the matter up since one of the permanent UNSC members refuses to abide by a multitude of treaties and has issued numerous illegal sanctions such that the entire UNSCRs Iranian containment regime woven together over the years will finally be undone by the UNGA in what might be the best way to end the contrived Iranian Crisis once and for all.
Posted by: karlof1 | Jul 1 2019 19:21 utc | 25
b reports:
That Iran is now exceeding one of the limits JCPOA sets out is not in breach of the agreement but in adherence to its letters.
A 'diplomatic editor' who does not understand that should seek a different profession.
Of course those 'diplomatic editor's are not paid to understand anything. Their job, along with rest of the msn, are to propagate lies to demonize the Iranians. The Iranian hardliners understand this. Negotiated agreements with the west are literally not worth the paper they are printed on -- anything they agree to can be, and will as we see, be denied. And, as we can see with our own eyes, those 'diplomatic editor's will back the Western war mongers. As the Russians have noted the US is 'not agreement capable'.
Posted by: ToivoS | Jul 1 2019 19:27 utc | 26
Groan. Must remember to use preview. Those italics extended into my comments.
Posted by: ToivoS | Jul 1 2019 19:29 utc | 27
HW> Syria should get used to it and start searching through the region of better allies it can count on.
Ahem. Do you say Russia was precluding Syria from looking for allies until today? Would you name few allies good enough that you offer to Syria?
....last days hasbara is full swing, repeating everywhere that it is Russia, Russia, Russia and Putin, Putin, Putin who are responsible for Israeli strike.
But didn't hasbara did the same every time?
Posted by: Arioch | Jul 1 2019 19:45 utc | 28
In today's Indian Punchline, Bhadrakumar calls out the Zionists for their War Crime then links it to the inconclusiveness of the G20. For that outcome, he blames Trump based on what he sees as Putin's legitimate "frustrations." IMO, he's also correct in the following:
"The paradox lies herein. For Trump, the prime consideration in the period ahead will be that there are no serious hiccups on the foreign policy front that might upset his apple cart during his campaign for the November 2020 election. The Victory Day Parade in Moscow’s Red Square next May offers a great photo-op for him, which he wouldn’t want to miss. But basically, Trump went to Osaka wearing velvet gloves with a focused mind on creating foreign-policy underpinnings for his bid for a second term as president."
The problem with that assessment is the G20 was mostly ignored by BigLie Media, which is quite likely why Trump decided to make the big splash at Korea's DMZ.
Posted by: karlof1 | Jul 1 2019 19:48 utc | 29
Ninel> that exposed the Israeli raids, which had taken place in March 2018
As far as i remember that old story, it claimed that F-35 flew three times longer path that it has fuel for.
Posted by: Arioch | Jul 1 2019 19:50 utc | 30
BraveNewWorld @11
I don't agree at all. The US media will never do justice to all the vitally important hockey-related stories diligently covered by the CBC.
Posted by: xpat | Jul 1 2019 19:57 utc | 31
Posted by: o | Jul 1, 2019 6:16:45 PM | 10
"It’s Official, “Israel” Is Now A Joint Russian-American Protectorate"
So you're a Zionist Hasbara-dog. So what?
Posted by: Laguerre | Jul 1 2019 19:59 utc | 32
@15
Conflicts are engineered. Do you know how American astronauts get into space? Do you know that it is the same Israeli/Russian mafia that controls Trump, controls Netanyahu and Putin?
Trump's first pardon was Sholom Rubashkin
The Happy-Go-Lucky Jewish Group That Connects Trump and Putin
Where Trump's real estate world meets a top religious ally of the Kremlin.
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/04/the-happy-go-lucky-jewish-group-that-connects-trump-and-putin-215007
Posted by: O | Jul 1 2019 20:07 utc | 33
Posted by: SharonM | Jul 1, 2019 7:09:46 PM | 18
"The British regime sure would like a war."
You don't know much about Britain, do you? In a split country, a "war of choice" would not go well.
Posted by: Laguerre | Jul 1 2019 20:12 utc | 34
@31 xpat... he was mentioning international stories, not local hockey news... oh well..
Posted by: james | Jul 1 2019 20:19 utc | 36
Under the deal,Iran has been storing heavy water in Oman from where it is sold on, and swapping enriched uranium for raw yellowcake with Russia.
That the Iran Russia swap is no longer occurring points to a joint Russia Iran plan to put pressure on the EU though it could be just an Iran plan, but whatever is happening there, I doubt it was Russia stopping the swap due to US sanctions.
https://news.yahoo.com/official-us-renews-iran-sanctions-waivers-nuclear-182451134--politics.html
"The other two waivers — one that allowed Iran to store excess heavy water produced in the uranium enrichment process in Oman, and one that allowed Iran to swap enriched uranium for raw yellowcake with Russia — were not renewed, the department said."
Posted by: Peter AU 1 | Jul 1 2019 20:28 utc | 37
Ninel: I could be terribly wrong about this but I thought the deal was for Russia to buy all of it or rather exchange it with readily usable civilian commercial nuclear fuel? I don't feel like reading the JCPOA but it should say :)
All: I read the Wikipedia article on UF6 recently (I've linked to it using my "name link" so one can go there clicking on my name) because I wondered if it could be used in a US false flag attack attributed to Iran. I'll leave that aside however Wikipedia had some interesting information about UF6, DUF6, and the US which gives perspective to any "outrage".
Uranium enrichment produces large quantities of depleted uranium hexafluoride, or DUF6, as a waste product. The long-term storage of DUF6 presents environmental, health, and safety risks because of its chemical instability. When UF6 is exposed to moist air, it reacts with the water in the air to produce UO2F2 (uranyl fluoride) and HF (hydrogen fluoride) both of which are highly corrosive and toxic. In 2005, 686,500 tonnes of DUF6 was housed in 57,122 storage cylinders located near Portsmouth, Ohio; Oak Ridge, Tennessee; and Paducah, Kentucky.[12][13] Storage cylinders must be regularly inspected for signs of corrosion and leaks. The estimated lifetime of the steel cylinders is measured in decades.[14]There have been several accidents involving uranium hexafluoride in the US, including a cylinder-filling accident and material release at the Sequoyah Fuels Corporation in 1986.[15][16] The U.S. government has been converting DUF6 to solid uranium oxides for disposal.[17] Such disposal of the entire DUF6 inventory could cost anywhere from $15 million to $450 million.[18]
686,500 tonnes (metric or whatever, one can never be sure) of DUF6. DUF6 is less radioactive than UF6 but wow that is a lot of DUF6. Making 1 kg of enriched Uranium is said to create close to 11 kg of depleted Uranium. The added Fluoride in DUF6 is very light compared to the very heavy Uranium so it should only add a little bit to it.
From their page on Sequoyah Fuels Corporation it says:
On January 4, 1986, Sequoyah Fuels Corporation experienced a rupture in an overfilled UF6 cylinder that contained an estimated 29 500 pounds of gaseous UF6.
29500 pounds = 13380.975 kg. They had another UF6 accident in 92 but I haven't bothered seeing how much they spilled.
Compared to that 300 kg is "nothing".
Posted by: Sunny Runny Burger | Jul 1 2019 20:40 utc | 38
@ karlof1 29
Great find! Trump didn't accomplish anything in Osaka!. . . That's a big surprise. /s
Posted by: Don Bacon | Jul 1 2019 20:46 utc | 39
Regarding the reported Israeli missile attacks on Damascus sites, we should note that the ground distance from below where the Israeli jets launched their missiles, above the Lebanon border, to Damascus is only about 35 miles, which means a 5-10 minute missile travel time to target, a challenge for air defenses. But I suppose the Israeli violation of Lebanon airspace will go unpunished, what with the US providing some military aid to Lebanon.
Posted by: Don Bacon | Jul 1 2019 20:56 utc | 40
As luck would have it I had a slightly earlier version of my disappearing comment in my clipboard *phew* This time I'll post it without the link to Wikipedia, maybe I can make it work this time :D
Ninel: I think the deal was for Russia to exchange all of it for usable fuel. It might not say in the JCPOA.
All: I read the Wikipedia article on UF6 recently because I wondered if it could be used in a US false flag attack attributed to Iran. I'll leave that aside however Wikipedia had some interesting information about UF6, DUF6, and the US which gives perspective to any "outrage".
Uranium enrichment produces large quantities of depleted uranium hexafluoride, or DUF6, as a waste product. The long-term storage of DUF6 presents environmental, health, and safety risks because of its chemical instability. When UF6 is exposed to moist air, it reacts with the water in the air to produce UO2F2 (uranyl fluoride) and HF (hydrogen fluoride) both of which are highly corrosive and toxic. In 2005, 686,500 tonnes of DUF6 was housed in 57,122 storage cylinders located near Portsmouth, Ohio; Oak Ridge, Tennessee; and Paducah, Kentucky.[12][13] Storage cylinders must be regularly inspected for signs of corrosion and leaks. The estimated lifetime of the steel cylinders is measured in decades.[14]There have been several accidents involving uranium hexafluoride in the US, including a cylinder-filling accident and material release at the Sequoyah Fuels Corporation in 1986.[15][16] The U.S. government has been converting DUF6 to solid uranium oxides for disposal.[17] Such disposal of the entire DUF6 inventory could cost anywhere from $15 million to $450 million.[18]
686,500 tonnes (metric or whatever, one can never be sure) of DUF6. DUF6 is less radioactive than UF6 but wow that is a lot of DUF6. Making 1 kg of enriched Uranium is said to create close to 11 kg of depleted Uranium, the six Fluoride anions in DUF6 doesn't add much compared to the heavy weight/mass of Uranium.
From their page on Sequoyah Fuels Corporation it says:
On January 4, 1986, Sequoyah Fuels Corporation experienced a rupture in an overfilled UF6 cylinder that contained an estimated 29 500 pounds of gaseous UF6.
29500 pounds = 13380.975 kg. They had another UF6 accident in 92 but I haven't bothered seeing how much they spilled.
Compared to that 300 kg is "nothing".
Posted by: Sunny Runny Burger | Jul 1 2019 20:58 utc | 41
This is an actual White House Statement:
The Iranian regime took action today to increase its uranium enrichment. It was a mistake under the Iran nuclear deal to allow Iran to enrich uranium at any level. There is little doubt that even before the deal’s existence, Iran was violating its terms. We must restore the longstanding nonproliferation standard of no enrichment for Iran. The United States and its allies will never allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons.Maximum pressure on the Iranian regime will continue until its leaders alter their course of action. The regime must end its nuclear ambitions and its malign behavior.
There is also little doubt that the US/UK/France/Germany/Russia/China violated the deal's terms even before the deal’s existence.
Europe Circumvents U.S. Sanctions On Iran
https://www.forbes.com/sites/francescoppola/2019/06/30/europe-circumvents-u-s-sanctions-on-iran
Posted by: DG | Jul 1 2019 21:06 utc | 44
b @43--
Yet more lies by the Outlaw US Empire, as we've come to expect. As for the "standard" it only existed in the feverish brains of Outlaw Neocons--the #1 enemy of all humanity.
Posted by: karlof1 | Jul 1 2019 21:09 utc | 45
I just noticed I compared all that US DUF6 to 300 kg of Iranian UF6 which is misleading.
The 300 kg of Iranian UF6 means they've also got something like 3300 kg or more of DUF6 and that would be the correct comparison to make, like for like.
The point remains though: compared to what the US has any "outrage" over Iranian UF6 or DUF6 is absurd.
Posted by: Sunny Runny Burger | Jul 1 2019 21:10 utc | 46
"The Iranian regime took action today to increase its uranium enrichment. It was a mistake under the Iran nuclear deal to allow Iran to enrich uranium at any level. There is little doubt that even before the deal’s existence, Iran was violating its terms".
This is the level of 1984 propaganda we live in that few actually realize. Oceania, Eurasia and Eastasia at constant war with ever shifting alliances in the disputed lands just too keep their respective populations under control. All the while the 3 are controlled by the same mafia group.
Posted by: O | Jul 1 2019 21:21 utc | 47
@ ninel 22
Good question as it is part of the puzzle.
Apart from the swaps, from online media:
"Under Iran's 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Tehran is limited to keeping 300 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 3.67 percent. As part of the JCPOA, Iran is allowed to sell any enriched uranium above that threshold on international markets in exchange for natural uranium, with Russia a key player."
"Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a May 8, 2019 address that aired on IRINN TV that, in keeping with the decision of the National Security Supreme Council, he sent letters to the leaders of the five countries remaining in the JCPOA announcing that Iran will stop selling surplus heavy water and surplus enriched uranium to a "certain country" in a gesture to allow the five countries to enter negotiations with Iran surrounding oil and banking. He explained that Iran has been selling surplus heavy water in excess of 130 tons to a "certain country," and that any enriched uranium in excess of 300kg has been sold to a "certain country" in exchange for yellowcake. "
So transaction was likely via Russia, or enrichment was said to be Russian sublet... but the final destination of excess enriched uranium and heavy water is not stated. Maybe someone else knows.
Posted by: gzon | Jul 1 2019 21:43 utc | 48
Posted by: O | Jul 1 2019 22:21 utc | 47
Can you send us the details of your latest pay-check, so that we know how many hours you've spent working for the Hasbara? I appreciate that it's probably your second job, after spending your day shooting Palestinians.
Posted by: Laguerre | Jul 1 2019 21:45 utc | 49
Nuclear science isn't only for reactors and bombs, the IAEA facebook and twitter pages are full of examples of how nuclear science is improving our lives. Iran wants to be a part of that, and they have a right to.
Posted by: Don Bacon | Jul 1 2019 21:54 utc | 50
Posted by: Laguerre | Jul 1 2019 22:45 utc | 49
Classic gaslighter comment and behavior.
Posted by: O | Jul 1 2019 21:56 utc | 51
from the files....
BBC, Dec 3, 2010
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called on Iran to enter next week's nuclear talks in good faith.
. . .Mrs Clinton also told the BBC that Iran can enrich uranium for civilian purposes in the future, a rare statement for an American official. Washington has always been vague when asked whether Iran should one day be allowed to enrich its own uranium for civilian energy. But Mrs Clinton told the BBC that Iran can enrich uranium for civilian purposes at some future date once it has demonstrated it can do so in a responsible manner and in accordance with Iran's international obligations. "We told them that they are entitled to the peaceful use of civil nuclear energy," she said. "But they haven't yet restored the confidence of the international community, to the extent where the international community would feel comfortable allowing them to enrich. "Iran has to come to the table recognising that they have lost the confidence of even longtime supporters and allies or those who believed them and took them at face value." . .here
Posted by: Don Bacon | Jul 1 2019 22:16 utc | 52
The JCPOA did two important things. It changed the public debate about Iran, such as it was, from the question of whether they were building nuclear weapons at all to how they can be stopped. This was a crucial change for the warmongers and the hegemongers. Look at the 'debate' now. Even those defending Iran simply take the existence of a nuclear weapons program for granted. The chains have been moved, to use an american football analogy - towards war.
The other important thing the JCPOA did was that it gave the US the excuse that it had tried its heart out to negotiate with Iran, leaving war (and yes, such powerful sanctions are war) as the only option, supposedly. The only question now is whether it will take bombs to get Iran to submit to the Hegemon. I think it will, because the US will insist that there be a garrison. This cannot happen without application of 'kinetic' force.
Oh yes, of course I know that the idea that the US has tried its heart out to negotiate is total balderdash. The Hegemon only needs a narrative that it can sell via its owned/controlled media, etc..
The JCPOA gave them that narrative. They tried to negotiate. Negotiation failed. The rest is all fuzzy details.
I think the notion that Iran can stand up to the US in any way, shape or form is total nonsense. The war will be fast and devastating to Iran. Every time you doubt this look at the way Israel plays whackamole vs Iran in Syria. This shows two things: that Iran is defenseless and that Russia will support an attack on Iran, whatever they may say about it at the UN. Oh and I almost forgot: the constant bombing of Iranians in Syria by Israel shows that Russian AA is completely useless.
By basically forcing Iran to sign the mad JCPOA treaty, Russia set up Iran for conquest. Russia is a terrible ally to have. Iran has no way whatsoever to withstand US airstrikes. The war will be short and brutal. Or Iran can surrender. Either way, the Hegemon continues its march, which stumbled a bit, temporarily, in Venezuela.
Oh yes, I know, the EU is resisting a little bit. That never lasts. Europe is occuppied. They have no choice but to do what the US wants. That is why some Germans want Ramstein out, but they'll never get it.
Posted by: Paul | Jul 1 2019 22:20 utc | 53
@ Paul 53
I think the notion that Iran can stand up to the US in any way, shape or form is total nonsense.
No. Wrong. I assume you've missed our past discussion on the subject?
Posted by: Don Bacon | Jul 1 2019 22:23 utc | 54
O &8
A different view, from Russian sources rather than an American (think-tank wannabe):
"Yesterday's forecast over the resumption of Israeli strikes after failed attempts to persuade Russia to break with Iran, was quickly confirmed. Overnight Israel via Lebanese airspace opened fire on targets West of Damascus. In the area of the base Mazzeh there were 1 or 2 significant hits. Some of the missiles were shot down by air defense systems to Damascus. The damage will usually be clear during the day when there will be data and pictures, and of satellite images within 2-3 days. Four fatalities were reported, three of them civilians,including a child. About 50 people were wounded, including 12 soldiers."
https://z5h64q92x9.net/proxy_u/ru-en.en/https/colonelcassad.livejournal.com/5102772.html
Then there is the conveniently timed incident in Cyprus where a S-200 or maybe an S-300 (or probably a bit of each) landed in Turkish held territory - just ripe for stirring things up between Russia and Turkey
PS thumbs up for the GMT/UTC time stamp.
Posted by: Yonatan | Jul 1 2019 22:36 utc | 55
HW @ 15, Arioch @ 30:
I'd be careful of relying on Andrew Korybko (quoted at that Global Research link in O's comment @ 8) as a sole source on information about Russian intentions in the Middle East.
He does tend to interpret Russian actions in Syria from a viewpoint which seems to give more weight to Israeli interpretations of those actions, and less to others. The Israeli interpretations usually look at what advantage Israel can get out of particular actions. What Russia does seems to be presented in a way that suggests pessimism and doubt on his part.
What may appear to be very small or very technical concessions to the Russians, the Iranians, the Syrians and others may be exaggerated by the Israelis to give the impression that they are major players in the situation. The reality may be very different from how the Israelis portray it. This in itself could be an indication that Israel either realises it is becoming irrelevant in the geopolitics of the region and is trying to insert itself into everything being done there; or on the other hand, Israel continues to delude itself that it is a major Middle Eastern power that should always be consulted on everything that happens in the rest of the neighbourhood regardless of what the neighbours think.
This is just my opinion, you are free to accept it or not.
Posted by: Jen | Jul 1 2019 22:39 utc | 56
As I commented earlier, we can anticipate almost to the word what the content of the Outlaw US Empire's lies will be a Iran continues to modify the JCPOA as it's entitled. The most important, extraordinary truth of the matter always seems to be omitted by BigLie Media--Trump broke the treaty, applied more illegal sanctions, making the USA that's in violation, not Iran. Gabbard certainly grasps the realities, is paying attention, and warned at the debates that we're closer to nuclear war than almost ever before, which BigLie Media's trying to spin as hyperbole without providing all the details why she's correct.
I wonder if Pompeo and Bolton both died tomorrow, would the Iranian policy change?
Posted by: karlof1 | Jul 1 2019 22:44 utc | 58
Laguerre @ 49:
O can't send us the details of the paycheck because he's probably a college student who has to do call-centre shit-work to collect credits towards passing in his coursework.
Posted by: Jen | Jul 1 2019 22:45 utc | 59
Israel to strike Tehran?
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1147520/Iran-news-US-war-Israel-Tehran-Iran-uranium-nuclear-war
Posted by: KC | Jul 1 2019 22:53 utc | 60
Oh dear, Paul #53 no doubt an attack on Iran could be fast and devastating of the civilian population in its initial stage but can I suggest you consider Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan etc.
Iran is a force to be reckoned with and history is littered with the carcasses of empires that tried to dominate it.
What will be fast and enduring is the rise in the price of oil and with it gas. Equally I would not be banking on the fifth fleet returning or unscathed.
Trump will back down after hysterical blustering and ADD style brinkmanship.
Posted by: uncle tungsten | Jul 1 2019 22:54 utc | 61
Even corporations w/o business in the US have been scared away from Iran
Jun 5, 2018
French car giants Peugeot and Citroen to exit Iran over US sanction risk
PSA, Europe's second-biggest carmaker, signed deals with two Iranian automakers, Iran Khodro and Saipa, in 2016 after sanctions were lifted following the landmark 2015 accord aimed at prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. It was among several companies which rushed into Iran, hoping to meet pent-up demand in a country that had been squeezed by sanctions for years. PSA also promised to pay Iran over 400 million euros ($446 million) in compensation for losses after it quit the country due to sanctions.
Last year PSA sold nearly 445,000 vehicles in Iran, making the country one of its biggest markets outside France. PSA has no US operations and has been absent from the US market since 1991. . .here and here
What will Macron do about it?
Oh well, it's too late, Iranians have take over the operation.
Posted by: Don Bacon | Jul 1 2019 22:54 utc | 62
Israel to strike Tehran?
It's a new game, Israel, one strike and you're out.
wiki: Estimates of Hezbollah's total rocket count range from 40,000 to 150,000, which is considerably more than most countries.
That's for starters.
Posted by: Don Bacon | Jul 1 2019 22:58 utc | 63
There appears to be cracks in Iran and Russian relationship. This is worrisome. I understand that Russians have their interest but the news here below and the announcement by Khamenei “iran has no friends” is cause for concern.
https://www.rt.com/business/463133-iran-warns-opec-death/
Posted by: Uncle Jon | Jul 1 2019 23:02 utc | 64
@ Don Bacon 63
Perhaps, but Big Brother, Uncle Sugar, is here to get "drawn into" the conflict that little ol' us really, really wanted to avoid, but just couldn't!
Posted by: KC | Jul 1 2019 23:03 utc | 65
@Laguerre-34
Oh I know the British regime alright, and it will do exactly what it's told to do.
Posted by: SharonM | Jul 1 2019 23:06 utc | 66
Posted by: Yonatan | Jul 1 2019 22:36 utc | 55
All this says that Russia once again allows Israel to do whatever it wants in Syria without lifting a finger in retaliation.
Just like when their own servicemen were killed by Israel.
"Vladimir Putin: 'Israeli jet did not shoot down our plane' in Syria
Russia's Vladimir Putin has taken a more conciliatory tone, after his Defense Ministry held Israel "completely" accountable for a jet shot down over Syria. Putin spoke of "a chain of tragic accidental circumstances."
https://www.dw.com/en/vladimir-putin-israeli-jet-did-not-shoot-down-our-plane-in-syria/a-45545863
Posted by: O | Jul 1 2019 23:07 utc | 67
From June 16th
"Among multiple scenarios being bounced around, some analysts believe a possible deal could involve Russia pushing Iran out of Syria, a key US and Israeli demand, in exchange for the lifting of at least some American and European sanctions against Russia and US acceptance of the regime of Syrian president Bashar Assad..The officials suggest that a recent Russian refusal to sell Iran its most advanced S-400 missile defense system because it could fuel regional tensions, as well as tacit Russian acquiescence to Israeli military strikes against Iranian and Lebanese Shi’ite militia Hezbollah targets in Syria, could open the door to a potential deal.
Iran has denied wanting to acquire the Russian system, while Russia has officially demanded that Israel halt its attacks and respect Syrian sovereignty...Analysts Udi Dekel and Carmit Valensi argued in a report published last month by the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) that despite public statements to the contrary, Russia, like Israel, rejects a withdrawal of US forces from Syria.
After announcing a complete pullback in February, Trump has since agreed to keep several hundred US troops in the country.
Dekel and Valensi said a US withdrawal would strengthen Iran and force Russia to allow Iran to take control of oil fields in the east of the country.
Writing in Haaretz, columnist Zvi Bar’el suggested that Russia and Iran differ over the endgame in Syria. “Russia has no intention of simply returning Syria to Assad’s control,” Bar’el said. He added that Russia sees Syria as a base from which to forge closer ties to the Gulf and Egypt."
https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/06/16/russia-iran-strain-raises-possibility-of-us-israel-russia-syria-deal/
Posted by: O | Jul 1 2019 23:26 utc | 68
No. 8
Why should Russia be the 'saviour'from ZioNazi?
Posted by: col from OZ | Jul 1 2019 23:28 utc | 69
About a couple of weeks ago I wrote a bit of a tongue-in-cheek comment about how all the non-stop acts or threatened acts of aggression over the past 8 years - and culminating now with Iran - have served to distract us from the financial elites who really run the show.
Today, yesterday GMT!) I noticed an article by Tom Luongo – Where Does Trump Go From Here? He wrote: “Note the timing of violent uprisings in Georgia. Don’t think these things are related? Think again. Keeping the Russians busy with multiple hotspots is the plan here. But Russia isn’t confused about this strategy."
So maybe I was onto something and Tom is right and I was mistaken in thinking it was “us” and not not Russia (quite a big difference). Of course they would only start getting concerned about “us” if we began doing drastic things like whacking hedge fund billionaires.
Posted by: Lochearn | Jul 1 2019 23:36 utc | 70
@17 Karlof1
"'Ayatollah Khamenei noting Shinzo’s assertion that the US intends to prevent Iran’s production of nuclear weapons said, 'We are opposed to the nuclear weapons and my religious Fatwa bans production of nuclear weapons; but you should know that if we intended to produce nuclear weapons, the US could do nothing; and its non-permission [would] not be any obstacle.'"
What is odd here for you?
You think it is self-cleaver and self defeating, but his logic is different.
He behave as the supreme leader of Iran, his logic is different from western logic.
A moment of weakness, is beginning of his failure. That was rule of power over history of Iran.
Khamenei knows well that showing a bit of weakness will be his end.
Power was most cruel to the leadership on Iran. You can not find any 50 years span on the long history of Iran that a weak leader survived, or died by a natural illness.
Name them in short history of new era, since Constitutional Revolution 1906:
Mozafar-al-din Shah >> signed constitution and died from his weakness
Mohammd ali shah >> thrown out of country and died from weakness in young age
Ahmad Shah >> thrown out of country and died on exile in very young age
Rezah Shah >> thrown out of country and died from weakness on exile
Mossaddegh >> shown weakness on decisive moment, died in house arrest.
Mohammad Reza shah >> thrown out of country and died from weakness on exile.
Ruholah Khomeinie >> drunk cup of poison ( Jaam-e Zhr).
I can count thousand years, the most bloody history of the stubborn horse of power of Iran.
Who ever dare to ride the horse should be brave enough to deal and talk with logic of power.
Western logic is born from traders arithmetic.
For some years Ali Khamenei was president of Iran, that time he was soft, it was said that he was a poet president. When he was thrown to the Crown, he had to learn different logic.
Posted by: Arata | Jul 1 2019 23:40 utc | 71
Seems wise to provide the link to the article recapping Russia's NSA Patrushev's recent meeting in Jerusalem where it was declared again to the Zionists and Americans that Iran is a Russian ALLY in the manner qualified by Putin, serving to remind them that Iran remains under Russia's nuclear umbrella, which calmed the theatrics until last night.
Also now available is this translation of Nasrallah's 31 May Al-Quds Day Speech when he promised the Zionists what would happen to Occupied Palestine should Iran be attacked.
Khamenei may say Iran is without allies, but objective reality says that isn't so. I would like to ask him his reasoning since outright lying is yet another thing Muslims are proscribed from doing as he well knows.
Posted by: karlof1 | Jul 1 2019 23:43 utc | 72
Thanks Jen #56, I agree with you on skepticism re Korybko but it is intriguing to observe the shenanigans in the context of a fractured election outcome in Israel. Perhaps nothing substantial can resolve until a dominant faction gets a majority there. And even then the timing of the 2020 USA circus will loom large. Perhaps the world will avoid a war because of an Israeli + USA election.
The Iranians are anything but stupid and they are well aware of the potential for Russian duplicity having encountered that over the centuries. The best solution is for some player to purchase the excess stock of heavy water and uranium in accordance with the treaty and defer the day of ignorance.
Posted by: uncle tungsten | Jul 1 2019 23:51 utc | 73
Lochearn #70
Of course they would only start getting concerned about “us” if we began doing drastic things like whacking hedge fund billionaires.
Great idea, I have my bat and pitchfork.
There are a few candidates in the USA election saying downright heretical things just like that and two of them are going further and criticising the war machine. Cue another global distraction.
Posted by: uncle tungsten | Jul 2 2019 0:04 utc | 74
Arata @71--
Thanks for your reply!
I commented thusly:
"I understand his motivation for uttering those words, but IMO they were unwise. Pride, like hubris, can be dangerous."
My unstated concern was the use of his words against him and Iran by those willing to twist and lie about anything if they think it will confer them an advantage, such as advancing their anti-Iran narrative, which is exactly what was done as b showed in his update.
I agree with you that he spoke to his internal Iranian audience to show he's in command. You'll also see my comment @72. I read his entire speech to get the context. He seems to be saying we stood alone before and we have the power to stand alone again in an effort to bolster morale, which I certainly understand.
I've written that IMO Iran has the upper-hand, the better position on the chess board, and it is in those positions because of its acumen. As your comment implies, acumen isn't something to squander, to use frivolously.
Posted by: karlof1 | Jul 2 2019 0:07 utc | 75
What you are all missing is water.
40% of Israels drinking water comes from the Golan,and that is still not enough to supply their needs now,
let alone in the future.
Its about the Litani Delta,always was and always will be.
People (Israelis) will do some stupid shit when its down to survival,just what we're seeing now.
The real players know exactly what the game is here, used to be taught in good schools as part of geography, they have lasted longer than forecast,but its just math, aggravated by their agricultural needs.
Posted by: Winston2 | Jul 2 2019 0:08 utc | 76
Patrick Wintour is the brother of Vogue Fashion Editor qnd Chief, Anna Wintour.
If his current position as Diplomatic Editor at the hollow shell (post publication of some of the Snowden papers and the MI6 raid) of The Guardian doesn't work out, perhaps Anna can give him a job.
His father Charles, was editor of the conservative Evening Standard, a free tabloid format paper currently owned by a Russian businessman.
According to Wikpedia, Charles once consulted his daughter, Anna on how to make the paper more relevant to young people.
Patrick's second wife is an editor at Time Magazine.
It all appears to be a bit incestuous
Posted by: CD Waller | Jul 2 2019 0:24 utc | 77
GMT is just fine. When I once visited The Royal Observatory in Greenwich I was astonished to learn that Longitude 0 - which had been aligned through the center of an old telescope - was just moved over a few feet to now run through the center of a new telescope. As only a Brit who thinks they're running the world would do.
Posted by: Trisha Driscoll | Jul 2 2019 0:44 utc | 78
@68
The agreement of Assad stays, but US and Iranian forces must leave, seems too simple. I do not understand what benefit Iran gets from troops in Syria; they supported Hezbollah just fine when Iraq was under heavy US occupation, so the land bridge does not seem essential. If Assad remained, Hezbollah would have a key backer in the region still in power.
I'm sure Iran wants a hand in any reconstruction contracts, but that would be of marginal economic impact to Iran as a nation. Iran will never be allowed to build a pipeline to the Mediterranean and they must realize that.
Posted by: Schmoe | Jul 2 2019 0:47 utc | 79
Noname - 77
Soros and Koch pushing for more peaceful international relationships and less warmongering?
Frankly, considering the slimebags involved, I'm seriously wondering if this isn't the tacit admission of some of the US Establishment that the USA will lose the first rank in the list of superpowers, and they're already trying to build up an altered world order in which the US won't risk to become a future target, or the losing side, as much as other powers had been during the height of the US rule. Basically, this isn't as much about the US warmongering going on right now than setting new rules to limit future Chinese warmongering.
Or it's just that they finally understood what most pundits haven't, which is that the US cannot afford big foreign wars anymore, it's a waste of money and resources that will actually doom the US economy and finances, and they're hoping focusing less on foreign adventurism and militarism can still save the day (in which case, I'd consider them to be deluded, because the day the US could reverse course and save its bacon is long gone).
Posted by: Clueless Joe | Jul 2 2019 0:54 utc | 81
Noname @77--
Yeah, they threw a paltry million to generate some positive PR to obfuscate their killing agendas. I'm shocked at the people who agreed to be employed by them. Here's Caitlin Johnstone's take on the exercise. Note she cites b's skepticism in the matter.
Posted by: karlof1 | Jul 2 2019 0:55 utc | 82
Whats with the influx of pro israeli nonsense post in this article ? i knew MoA been under crosshair for astroturfers all over the world (heck even Boeing paid astroturfers tried their nonsense here and promptly got made and shutdown)..
when this many Hasbara trolls posting so many lies , that means this MoA post is on the right track
Posted by: milomilo | Jul 2 2019 1:49 utc | 83
@ O
Looks like the Rothschild-BRICS Comment Control and Manipulation Trolls are out in full force today, as per usual.
You've hit a raw nerve pointing out Trump/Putin's links to Chabad but what is missing from the Politico piece is an analysis of the KGB First Directorate, MI6 and CIA links to Chabad, which appear similar to those of Gulenists to the CIA, for example, or the MEK to MI6 on a slightly smaller scale.
The main issue is one of the nexus between all forms of organized crime and so-called Intelligence, and their penchant for creating religious and/or ideological cults. The people who invented these psyops are using Chabadniks as props for what will be a genocide of epic proportions.
It matters not who wears the crown if four fifths of us have been murdered.
Posted by: C I eh? | Jul 2 2019 1:58 utc | 84
@75 Karlof1
“ My unstated concern was the use of his words against him and Iran by those willing to twist and lie about anything if they think it will confer them an advantage, such as advancing their anti-Iran “
They do not think like that. They believe that story of nuclear is only excuse and pretext. They think if there was no nuclear issue, western countries would fabricate another pretext. This their logic.
“ I agree with you that he spoke to his internal Iranian audience“
His audiences are not limited to Iran. Right or wrong, he believes that the whole Muslims are watching him, from Indonesia to Chechnya, to Mali.
“ He seems to be saying we stood alone before and we have the power to stand alone ...“
They have very bitter experiences to stand alone on 8 years war, when the whole world including Soviets supported Saddam. Even they supplied chemical warfare to Saddam, and sit down watched the genocide.
Posted by: Arata | Jul 2 2019 1:58 utc | 85
Now we get into the "weapons-grade" scares. AP: "Iran separately threatened to raise its uranium enrichment closer to weapons-grade levels on July 7 if Europe fails to offer it a new deal." The Business Insider: Iran on Monday threatened to enrich uranium to weapons-grade levels by July 7 if European leaders fail to offer a new deal or relief from sanctions that are crippling its economy, The Associated Press reported.
But we've heard this song before, May 15, 2019 -- Iran's Supreme Leader Threatens to Enrich Uranium to Weapons-grade Level -- Iran's supreme leader issued a veiled threat in the same speech in which he stated that "no one is seeking war," saying it wouldn't be difficult for the Islamic Republic to enrich uranium to weapons-grade levels amid rising tensions with the U.S., state media reported Wednesday.
Iran needs 20% for its research reactor, weapons grade is 85% plus.
Posted by: Don Bacon | Jul 2 2019 2:00 utc | 86
Noname @ 77; "In an astonishing turn, George Soros and Charles Koch team up to end US ‘forever war’ policy"
Not holding my breath while this gains momentum, if so, it's just incredible. Until then, would be nice to see some force, any force, challenge the world hegemony of our latest empire. Could that be Iran?
Seems as though, only deaths change human behavior..
Posted by: ben | Jul 2 2019 2:00 utc | 87
Pompeo tweet: "Iran's regime has taken new steps to advance its nuclear ambitions. Once again, the regime uses its nuclear program to extort the international community and threaten regional security. The world’s top sponsor of terrorism can never be allowed to enrich uranium at any level."
Once again? Top terrorism sponsor?
Posted by: Don Bacon | Jul 2 2019 2:07 utc | 88
So apparently the NYT is reporting that Trump is thinking of allowing Kim to keep the nukes he has as long as he leaves it at that. And how's he going to justify crippling Iran's economy when IRAN HAS NO NUKES??? Bozo Trump thought he invented the wheel when he tore up the JCPOA. Now he's gonna get his ass handed to him.
Posted by: Circe | Jul 2 2019 2:10 utc | 89
psychohistorian and i brought this up yesterday.. nice to see some folks want to talk about it today! where is jackrabbit?
"caitlin johnstones latest - New Soros/Koch-Funded Think Tank Claims To Oppose US Forever War
i thought it was april fools for a second, until i then thought it is probably a pile of steaming b.s. but hey - if it can be used as fertilizer to grow a few brains in an otherwise constant 24/7 war party mindset, i am up for it... call me when something actually happens as a result of any soros-koch stink tank agenda..
Posted by: james | Jul 1 2019 3:31 utc | 95"
Posted by: james | Jul 2 2019 2:12 utc | 90
I don't know if "countermeasures" strictly fits in this case, but it seems close. Here is an official statement by the US regarding the issue:
"International Law recognizes that a party to an agreement which is breached by the
other party may reciprocally suspend proportional obligations in the agreement. Available countermeasures range from formal termination of an agreement in the event of material breach, to interim withdrawal of corresponding rights of the other party while other rights and obligations remain in effect. As the I.L.C. has stated, a violation of a treaty obligation as of any other obligation may give rise to the right in the other party to take non forcible reprisals, and these reprisals may properly relate to the defaulting
party's right under the treaty."
Maybe Iran should cite the official US stance on the matter.
Posted by: Larry | Jul 2 2019 2:47 utc | 91
@89 Grammar Nazi alert! One extorts something FROM somebody. I've got that one filed with 'could care less'.
Posted by: dh | Jul 2 2019 2:50 utc | 92
Khamenei is a smart guy. He knows that the US has used enriched uranium as a scare tactic to hurt Iran. Despite the IAEA inspectors on site to ensure that fissile materials are not transferred to a weapons program, the US now says that Iran has too much enriched uranium accumulated, and now the US has decided that any enrichment would be dangerous.
So the Ayatollah says I'll give you some of your own medicine. We will continue to enrich uranium, you scaredy-cats! Not only that we will enrich at a higher pace and at a higher level, maybe even to weapons grade! Whatcha going to do about it, champ?
Of course even weapons-grade enriched uranium isn't dangerous in itself. It's a fact that a nuclear weapons program is difficult, time-consuming AND requires testing that would be obvious. In the meantime the inspectors are there -- unless Iran pulls out of the NPT. Withdraw from an agreement? They can't do that, only the US can do that.
Posted by: Don Bacon | Jul 2 2019 3:09 utc | 93
james: steaming pile of b.s.
Yup. USA is very happy to talk and talk while sanctions work their magic. And this news contrast so well with Iran's "breaking JCPOA".
As far as I understand it, only about $500k has been allocated to the new Think Tank. Very little for a new Think Tank but enough to get headlines.
<> <> <> <> <> <> <>
Here is Head and co-Founder of the new Think Tank and Trita Parsi's bio. He is very Western and his organization serves the Iranian ex-pat community which is generally very much against the current Iranian government. The organization claims that all funding comes from individuals (almost certainly expats) and nonprofits (like the Rockefeller Brothers Fund!).
Yet a brief online search shows quite a few hints that NIAC has connections to the Iranian government. These are suspicious because, as I mentioned, Iranian expats are almost all against the Iranian government. So it seems to me that these 'hints' are planted to make NIAC seem more independent than it is.
My wonder if NIAC and/or this Think Tank is being positioned to be something like the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (SOHR) (click-thru for funny story from RT) but for Iran.
Posted by: Jackrabbit | Jul 2 2019 3:18 utc | 94
@72 karlof1 -"Khamenei may say Iran is without allies, but objective reality says that isn't so. I would like to ask him his reasoning..."
Also to Arata...
I always had a thought about Irans' taking this position but never did offer it. The thought was that when one goes into battle for life or death, even when one knows one has the superior shape, even so, one sends one's loved ones away from the theater.
I always thought this was Iran cutting everyone loose from the conflict, and from two considerations. One is that relations are quite complex between all nations and players in this region, and thus Iran says that its friends and allies must be free to preserve their own balances, as it suits their general interest.
The second consideration is that Iran truly knows that this battle may be the end of times. And Iran will fight as if this is so. Iran has shed all its alliances in order to walk unencumbered into battle. There are those - such as Hezbollah, such as Iraq, such as indeed Palestine itself - who have nothing left to lose, and seemingly will walk into this battle alongside Iran.
But Iran has let its friends who have other commitments off the hook. Because where it goes, no one can accompany unless for win or lose, life or death.
Never get off the boat, unless you're going all the way.
Iran is going all the way. For this reason, it gave the outer circle of allies room to be removed from the bloodshed.
~~
And yet, karlof1, you remind us that Russia did indeed go to Jerusalem -- which gave the trolls much word salad to toss in the empty air -- but it was simply to keep its enemies closer than its friends, and for the purpose of telling everyone that Iran is an ally at the nuclear level.
Ah, Russia, how formidable you are - a great ally for Iran.
Russia says, we will watch this battle play out in conventional terms. Iran thinks it can win in these terms, and so do I and you, karlof1, and many others. But in case the US falls victim to the cowardice of its recent decades, and tries a nuclear solution, Russia will risk the life of the world itself in order to defeat this.
What friends these two nations are. Iran tries to give Russia a way out of the coming battle, and Russia says, "No, we're fine thanks. Do what you must. We shall watch and wait, and if our stated lines are crossed, we shall act."
~~
That was my thought.
Posted by: Grieved | Jul 2 2019 3:26 utc | 95
Grieved | Jul 2 2019 4:26 utc | 96
Yes, agreed.
Putin has been very clear on this point; use nukes against our partners and we'll respond with our nukes...
Posted by: V | Jul 2 2019 3:35 utc | 96
@95 jr... good thinking on your part.. i think that makes a lot of sense - your last line specifically.. thanks..
Posted by: james | Jul 2 2019 3:36 utc | 97
@ Grieved with the summary about Russia/Iran......nice and thanks
@ Jackrabbit with the follow up on the Koch/Soros peace tank...thanks and I agree with your take on it.
What is it going to take for the house of cards/bunch of spinning plates of late empire to collapse? I admit to thinking that the tipping point should have been way before now and continue to believe it is a matter of when, not if. That said, I think one of the strategies is to make all weary of conflict so they will give up something for peace.
I would ask commenter Arata why they have not mentioned finance/usury/Western banking as one of the core Iran issues? What is "correct" perspective?
Posted by: psychohistorian | Jul 2 2019 3:48 utc | 98
The claptrap stove-piped by the (((Western MSM))) about the JCPOA is potentially another nail in the coffin of the MSM's tanking credibility.
I've just Googled 'JCPOA official document' and there are umpteen references to it, and copies of it, on the www.
So if the MSM's fake 'journalists' can't find a copy it's because they're too lazy and dishonest to look AND obviously prefer concocting Fake News to providing their 'consumers' with Truthful, Fact-based News.
Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Jul 2 2019 4:08 utc | 99
Ironically, while Trump was crossing the DMZ, Bolton was in Mongolia, I kid you not, probably getting groomed for the role of his idol, Genghis Khan, to lead the clash of civilizations after Trump greenlights the invasion of Iran. All his fondest wet dreams will come true.
Posted by: Circe | Jul 2 2019 4:20 utc | 100
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thanks b.. i have come to expect nothing but the worst coverage via the guardian.. in fairness to all the other crap media - they are quite happy to remain ignorant of the details and to carry water for the warmongers.. it is really quite pathetic actually...
Posted by: james | Jul 1 2019 16:19 utc | 1