Obama Says US Will Consider Immediate Lifting of Iran Sanctions
Obama is willing to explore the immediate lifting of sanctions on Iran, in contrast to what
was agreed upon in the talks.
was agreed upon in the talks.
Iran’s Supreme Leader
Ayatollah Khamenei.
(mypetjawa.mu.nu)
Ayatollah Khamenei.
(mypetjawa.mu.nu)
In what appears to be another concession by US President Barack Obama to Iranian demands, the American leader said he would be willing to discuss the immediate lifting of sanctions on Iran after signing a final deal regarding its nuclear program.
Speaking Friday at a White House joint news conference with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, Obama said he has left open the door to “creative negotiations” in response to Iran’s demand that sanctions be immediately lifted as part of a nuclear deal. The initial agreement calls for the penalties to be removed in phases, in tandem with Iran’s compliance with the deal.
Asked at the press conference whether he will definitively rule out the lifting of sanctions at
once as part of a final deal, Obama said he didn’t want to get ahead of negotiators in
working through the potential sticking point. His main concern, he explained, was
making sure that if Iran violates an agreement, sanctions can quickly be reinstated —
the so-called “snap back” provision.
once as part of a final deal, Obama said he didn’t want to get ahead of negotiators in
working through the potential sticking point. His main concern, he explained, was
making sure that if Iran violates an agreement, sanctions can quickly be reinstated —
the so-called “snap back” provision.
“How sanctions are lessened, how we snap back sanctions if there’s a violation, there
are a lot of different mechanisms and ways to do that,” Obama said, adding that part
of the job for Secretary of State John Kerry and the representatives of the other
P5+1 nations working to reach a final deal with Iran by June 30 “is to sometimes
ind formulas that get to our main concerns while allowing the other side to make
a presentation to their body politic that is more acceptable.”
are a lot of different mechanisms and ways to do that,” Obama said, adding that part
of the job for Secretary of State John Kerry and the representatives of the other
P5+1 nations working to reach a final deal with Iran by June 30 “is to sometimes
ind formulas that get to our main concerns while allowing the other side to make
a presentation to their body politic that is more acceptable.”
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani
insisted last week that they would not sign a deal unless it includes the lifting of
all sanctions on Iran on its first day of implementation.
insisted last week that they would not sign a deal unless it includes the lifting of
all sanctions on Iran on its first day of implementation.
Obama initially portrayed the Iranian leaders’ comments as a reflection of internal
political pressure, while pointing out that the initial framework agreement reached
earlier this month allows for sanctions to be phased out once international monitors
verify that Tehran is abiding by the limitations. The sanctions issue “will require
some creative negotiations by John Kerry and others,” he said.
political pressure, while pointing out that the initial framework agreement reached
earlier this month allows for sanctions to be phased out once international monitors
verify that Tehran is abiding by the limitations. The sanctions issue “will require
some creative negotiations by John Kerry and others,” he said.
The lifting of the sanctions is potentially dangerous for the Middle East as
it would fill Iran’s treasury with funds it could use to fund its terror network
and destabilization of the region.
it would fill Iran’s treasury with funds it could use to fund its terror network
and destabilization of the region.
Obama Tough at Home, Soft Internationally
Obama said he will sign legislation expected to pass the Senate and House
giving Congress a say on a final deal, calling it a “reasonable compromise”
that addresses his previous objections to Congress oversight.
giving Congress a say on a final deal, calling it a “reasonable compromise”
that addresses his previous objections to Congress oversight.
The legislation would block Obama from waiving congressional sanctions
against Iran for at least 30 days after any final agreement, which would give
lawmakers time to weigh in and review the agreement.
against Iran for at least 30 days after any final agreement, which would give
lawmakers time to weigh in and review the agreement.
An S-300 battery on parade in Moscow. (Vovan/wikicommons)
He said he takes lawmakers
who have drafted the
legislation at their word that
they will not try to derail
negotiations.
who have drafted the
legislation at their word that
they will not try to derail
negotiations.
Obama also weighed in on
Russia’s announcement earlier
this week that it would lift a
five-year ban on delivery of
anti-aircraft missiles, giving the Islamic Republic’s military a strong deterrent against
any air attack. The White House initially objected, but Obama said, “I’m frankly
surprised that it held this long.”
Russia’s announcement earlier
this week that it would lift a
five-year ban on delivery of
anti-aircraft missiles, giving the Islamic Republic’s military a strong deterrent against
any air attack. The White House initially objected, but Obama said, “I’m frankly
surprised that it held this long.”
Russia signed the $800-million contract to sell Iran the S-300 missile system in
2007, but suspended their delivery three years later because of strong objections
from the United States and Israel. “Their economy is under strain and this was
a substantial sale,” Obama said.
2007, but suspended their delivery three years later because of strong objections
from the United States and Israel. “Their economy is under strain and this was
a substantial sale,” Obama said.
Russia, which also is party to the talks along with China, France, Britain and
Germany, said the preliminary nuclear agreement made its 2010 ban on
sending missiles to Iran no longer necessary.
Germany, said the preliminary nuclear agreement made its 2010 ban on
sending missiles to Iran no longer necessary.
By: AP and United with Israel Staf
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