An interim agreement to limit the development of Iran’s nuclear program in return for relief of some sanctions was reached in Geneva, Switzerland between Iran, the U.S. and five other world powers on Sunday, Nov. 24.
CNN reported that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry characterized this agreement as an “unprecedented international monitoring” of Iran’s nuclear program.
This initial deal creates limitations that will avert Iran’s ability to create nuclear weapons during a six-month time span.
According to a report by CNN, the deal will accomplish this by restricting Iran’s capability to enhance uranium, discussing what to do about its current uranium stockpile and addressing the number and potential of its centrifuges.
A statement released by the White House read that the deal also addresses Tehran’s “ability to produce weapons-grade plutonium using the Arak reactor.”
This statement from the White House also read that Iran has agreed to allow their nuclear program to be monitored more closely by President Obama and other international leaders.
Iran has agreed to these terms in return for relief of some sanctions while a more formal agreement is drawn up. Obama said relief for Iran will be cut and pressure will increase if the country violates the terms of the deal.
The United Nations atomic agency announced Friday that the implementation of the terms of this deal is expected to start by early January.
CNN reported that Yuval Steinitz, Israel’s Intelligence Minister, has reaffirmed Israel’s distaste with the West’s efforts to make a deal with Iran.
“This agreement is far from satisfactory,” Steinitz said. “It will make it more difficult than before to achieve an appropriate solution in the future,”
Ivory Harris, an electronic media and film major in his senior year at Eastern Michigan University,
agrees with Steinitz and believes this deal isn’t the right solution to the problem.
“The only good deal is an agreement that neither party will use nuclear weaponry period, and to disarm their nukes,” Harris said. “Nuclear warfare is unpredictable and uncontrollable.”
Other global principals, however, are satisfied with the deal.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif feels the deal is opportunistic.
“It is an opportunity to avert an unnecessary crisis,” Zarif said in a report by CNN.
Zarif hopes the deal will lead to improved relationships between Iran and other Western countries and powers.
Bram Sanvordenker, a senior at EMU studying linguistics, questions Iran’s intentions concerning this agreement.
“Iran is similar to North Korea in that they aren’t trustworthy,” Sanvordenker said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they also have secret, unmonitored facilities even after this agreement comes into effect. If I thought Iran’s intentions were honest, then I would support their nuclear development for the growth of their country’s society.”
