Washington: Even as the landmark Iran nuclear deal signed by Iran and six world powers was hailed as “historic moment” and "new chapter" by the United States, Tehran and the European Union, the accord drew flak from Israel and American Republicans who minced no words in branding the agreement as “unacceptable”.
In a major breakthrough putting an end to over 12-year long nuclear standoff between Tehran and the West, Iran and the so-called P5+1 - the US, UK, France, China and Russia plus Germany - finally sealed a nuclear deal in Vienna on Tuesday after three weeks of intense negotiations.
While, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani hailed it as a "historic moment" and EU praised it as a "sign of hope for the entire world", Tehran's arch-enemy Israel condemned the accord, calling it a "historic mistake".
Another Israeli Cabinet minister Miri Regev claimed that the deal had given them "a license to kill". In her Facebook post, Israeli culture minister Miri Regev (also former IDF spokesperson), said that the mere fact that Iran was celebrating was a proof enough that it was a bad deal.
US Conservatives who have always expressed their opposition to the deal, made no delay in slamming the accord, calling it unacceptable.
However, despite the Republicans' open repudiation of the deal, it is highly unlikely that they can put obstacles in the way of its implementation as President Barack Obama in his speech made it clear that he will veto any legislation blocking the deal.
Congress has 60 days to consider the deal, after which it can disapprove the deal. However, Obama, as he has said, will veto the disapproval which can then only be overridden
if two-thirds of Congress votes to counter the President, which looks highly infeasible.
Obama has made a strong case for the Iran nuclear deal, asserting that the deal is as an effective one, that ensures "every pathway to a nuclear weapon is cut off", he said in an interview to Tom Freidman.
Calling it a new "opportunity to move in a new direction”, Obama ," he said in an address to the nation.
However, Republicans have pledged to vote against the deal, calling it unacceptable.
US House Speaker John Boehner slammed the agreement saying it had the potential to stir a nuke arms race in the Middle East.
.@JohnBoehner: #Iran deal is unacceptable. http://t.co/bwXogXS6V6
— Team Boehner (@TeamBoehner) July 14, 2015
He had earlier said that having no deal was better than a bad deal.
MT @FaceTheNation: Boehner on #Irantalks: No deal is better than a bad deal" and "I don't want to see a bad deal."
— John Boehner (@johnboehner) July 12, 2015
Louisiana`s Indian-American governor Bobby Jindal also reiterated Boehner's remarks saying, “"I worry under this president`s deal we could end up with a nuclear arms race in the Middle East”. He also urged the Congress and Hillary Clinton to oppose the agreement.
This dangerous deal has put Iran on a path to obtaining a nuke, depleted our military strength & endangered Israel. http://t.co/limslQMOx4
— Gov. Bobby Jindal (@BobbyJindal) July 14, 2015
Congress should oppose this dangerous Iran deal. Secretary Clinton should be a voice of reason and oppose this deal. http://t.co/limslQMOx4
— Gov. Bobby Jindal (@BobbyJindal) July 14, 2015
Senator Rand Paul and Ted Cruz too condemned the deal, saying it would easily steer Iran on a “path to the nuclear bomb”.
The proposed agreement with Iran is unacceptable and I will vote against the agreement. 1/2
— Dr. Rand Paul (@RandPaul) July 14, 2015
The deal is bad because 1) sanctions relief precedes evidence of compliance 2) Iran is left with significant nuclear capacity 2/2
— Dr. Rand Paul (@RandPaul) July 14, 2015
It also lifts the ban on selling advanced weapons to Iran. Better to keep the interim agreement in place instead of accepting a bad deal.
— Dr. Rand Paul (@RandPaul) July 14, 2015
Congress must stop a deal that puts Iran on the path toward a nuclear bomb https://t.co/a8b6IqTimQ #IranDeal
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 14, 2015
The deal reached after 20 months of on and off negotiations stipulates that Iran would curb its nuclear activities for over a decade in exchange of sanctions relief.
According to the deal, Iran has accepted a "snapback mechanism", by which the sanctions can be re-imposed within 65 days if Tehran is found violating the deal.
Also, the UN-imposed arms embargo against Iran will remain in force for five years, while the restrictions on buying missile technology will be there for eight years.
Another detail of the deal, which the critics might latch on to, is that the UN inspectors will not have a free access to Iranian military sites. However, Iran has accepted to allow the IAEA personnel a "managed access" according to which only if the UN inspectors doubt about any suspicious activity, then they can manage to get access by putting up a request for inspection which will then be considered by a committee.
