President Obama Makes Deal With Iran

On April 2, President Obama announced an historic nuclear deal with Iran. Discussions have been ongoing for two years, in pursuit of President Obama’s goal to improve US-Iranian relations since his election in 2008. In the agreement, Iran has promised they will not produce nuclear weapons, and will also allow America to come into their country and investigate to verify their compliance. In exchange, America’s sanctions will be lifted, allowing Iran to trade with America and other countries. President Obama appeared confident, saying that the deal “cuts off every pathway” for Iran to make nuclear weapons, and “if Iran cheats, the world will know it.”

While Iranians are thrilled about the prospect of the sanctions being lifted, citizens in nearby countries are more hesitant that the deal will work. Israel, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf states are concerned that this deal allows Iran to keep much of their nuclear plans and materials. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to President Obama and was not convinced despite the President’s strong support of the deal. Prime minister Netanyahu claimed “A deal based on this framework would threaten the survival of Israel.”

Despite President Obama’s obvious elation, the Republican Congress is not thrilled. What President Obama seems to be ignoring is the 1979 sanctions put on Iran were made by Congress, and he will need Congressional approval to lift them. With a Republican majority, this seems unlikely.

While President Obama is thrilled by this “accomplishment,” I am not convinced this is in our country’s best interest. Besides valid concerns from countries like Israel, and President Obama’s bypassing Congressional involvement and approval, many details have to be worked out before this deal can be effective or trusted. And this agreement aligns the US with an enemy while ignoring the concerns of our allies in the region.

My first thought after reading about the agreement was a quote from the 2008 movie Iron Man. In one of his most famous quotes, the villain says, “Tony Stark was able to build this in a cave! With a box of scraps! “ after a scientist says the technology doesn’t exist. While this quote from a superhero movie may not be directly associated with real foreign affairs, it does seem relevant. I know nothing about building nuclear weapons, but I do know that any country, including Iran, could possibly build one without the United States knowing. Even if they didn’t build in their official labs, it seems possible they could build one in a cave, or other secret location, with a box of scraps, just like Tony Stark.

While I am not opposed to agreements and deals, I have problems with the way President Obama left Congress out of this one, as well as ignoring their needed involvement for ratification. I also do not believe that this particular agreement is “historic” or helpful, as it endangers other countries, and is completely based on Iran’s word. Discussions will continue and will be finalized on June 30.