Iranian president: We will 'remain committed' to nuclear deal if Trump pulls out

[riversedge]

Source: Politico






'We are not worried about America’s cruel decisions,' Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Monday.

By QUINT FORGEY

05/07/2018 08:59 AM EDT Updated 05/07/2018 09:13 AM EDT


President Hassan Rouhani of Iran claimed the Middle Eastern power “will continue to remain committed” to the multinational nuclear agreement the Obama administration brokered in 2015 — even if President Donald Trump terminates American involvement in the deal later this week.

“We are not worried about America’s cruel decisions ... We are prepared for all scenarios and no change will occur in our lives next week,” Rouhani said Monday in a speech broadcast live on state television and reported by Reuters. “If we can get what we want from a deal without America, then Iran will continue to remain committed to the deal. What Iran wants is our interests to be guaranteed by its non-American signatories ... In that case, getting rid of America’s mischievous presence will be fine for Iran.”

Trump seems poised to withdraw from the deal on Saturday, when a decision is due on whether to extend a suspension of sanctions against Iran — fulfilling a campaign trail pledge and satisfying hawkish Republicans in Congress who have long opposed the atomic agreement.
.................

“If they want to make sure that we are not after a nuclear bomb, we have said repeatedly that we are not and we will not be,” Rouhani said Monday. “But if they want to weaken Iran and limit its influence whether in the region or globally, Iran will fiercely resist.”
....................................................

Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/05/07/iran-president-nuclear-deal-trump-571567

[Turbineguy]

1. It's the smart play.

Trump might turn out to be a temporary aberration.

(We hope)

[lagomorph777]

3. Exactly - the world knows Trump is a zit about to be popped.

[Botany]

2. Trump has no idea what is in the agreement and what it is about.

It was written by and signed off on by Iran, the UK, France, Germany, Russia, China and the U.S..
America can drop out but it will stay in effect as longer as the other nations stick to it.

It allows anytime anywhere access in Iran to inspect for any violations of the agreement and those
inspections are under the purview of the IAEA and not the United States and or any other nation.


BTW the main person behind the agreement is Ernie Moniz who if he is not the best in the world at
understanding the issues involved then the # of people who are as good or better is pretty damn
short list.

Ernie's bio:

Dr. Ernest Moniz served as United States Secretary of Energy from May 21, 2013 to January 19, 2017. As Secretary of Energy, he was tasked with implementing critical Department of Energy missions in support of President Obama’s goals of growing the economy, enhancing security and protecting the environment. This encompassed advancing the President’s all-of-the-above energy strategy, maintaining the nuclear deterrent and reducing the nuclear danger, promoting American leadership in science and clean energy technology innovation, cleaning up the legacy of the cold war, and strengthening management and performance.

Prior to his appointment, Dr. Moniz was the Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Physics and Engineering Systems at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he was a faculty member since 1973. At MIT, he headed the Department of Physics and the Bates Linear Accelerator Center. Most recently, Dr. Moniz served as the founding Director of the MIT Energy Initiative and as Director of the MIT Laboratory for Energy and the Environment where he was a leader of multidisciplinary technology and policy studies on the future of nuclear power, coal, nuclear fuel cycles, natural gas and solar energy in a low-carbon world.

From 1997 until January 2001, Dr. Moniz served as Under Secretary of the Department of Energy. He was responsible for overseeing the Department’s science and energy programs, leading a comprehensive review of nuclear weapons stockpile stewardship, and serving as the Secretary’s special negotiator for the disposition of Russian nuclear materials. From 1995 to 1997, he served as Associate Director for Science in the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President.


snip

Dr. Moniz received a Bachelor of Science degree summa cum laude in Physics from Boston College, a Doctorate in Theoretical Physics from Stanford University, and honorary degrees from the University of Athens, Boston College, Boston University, the University of Erlangen-Nurenberg, Iowa State University, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Michigan State University and Universidad Pontificia de Comillas. He has been awarded the Distinguished Public Service Medal of the Department of Defense, and the Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry the Navigator.

https://www.energy.gov/contributors/dr-ernest-moniz

[mountain grammy]

4. Replaced by Rick Perry

[Botany]

6. From Steven Chu (nobel prize) to Ernie Moniz (MIT chair of dept. of physics 30 yrs+ nuclear ....

... non-proliferation work) and now Rick (flunked freshman chemistry) Perry.

This is a nonstop never ending nightmare.

[mountain grammy]

7. Yep

[Submariner]

5. The Donald does not care what it is about

In his mind, this is about a Black guy he hates with a burning passion squeaking through a peace initiative, however temporary it may be, but a victory all the same for the world and President Obama.

Trump needs to do this hoping upon hope than President Obama will finally break his silence and ridicule The Donald openly, so that he can unleash the most vile Twitter storm take down by ever. He loves to hate. It's in his DNA.

[robbob]

8. The U.N. had anytime anywhere inspection rights in Iraq prior to 2001

Last edited Mon May 7, 2018, 07:05 PM - Edit history (2)

in order to inspect for WMD, and they reported again and again that they had found nothing. Didn’t stop Bush and Cheney from launching a war that has cost the USA billions (if not trillions) of dollars and uncounted loss of life and human suffering.

We have been witness in our lifetime to one of the hugest foreign policy blunders in American history. The press never talks about it any more. And now tRump and co want to do it all over again.

[Yavin4]

10. As was with Iraq, our Allies won't join us in a war with Iran, not even the UK

No Tony Blair this time. Also, there won't be any "dog and pony" UN show as well. If we pull out, it won't matter. Sanctions will come down by our Euro allies.

The world is much bigger than the US and Israel.

[Nitram]

9. What this means is that Iran will allow companies from those countries to make lucrative deals

to do business in Iran, while the US will be entirely shut out. Thanks for the great deal, Dump!