US State Department dispels myths about agreement with Iran

US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken explained some points of the forthcoming agreement with Iran, speaking at the American Jewish Committee Global Forum in Washington.According to the diplomat, he was trying to "dispel the myths" about the impending deal. "Many of these concerns are simply misplaced and are more myth than fact," TASS cited him as saying."First, the deal that we are working to achieve will not expire. There will not be a so-called 'sunset'. Different requirements of the deal would have different durations, but some – including Iran’s commitment to all of the obligations of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, including the obligation not to build a nuclear weapon, as well as the tough access and monitoring provisions of the Additional Protocol – those would continue in perpetuity," Blinken said."Secondly, this deal would provide such extensive levels of transparency that if Iran fails to comply with the international community’s obligations, we’ll know about it – and we will know it virtually right away, giving us plenty of time to respond diplomatically, or, if necessary, by other means," he assured, adding that "most of the sanctions would be suspended – not ended – for a long period of time, with provisions to snap back automatically if Iran reneges on its commitments.""Thirdly, we would not agree to a deal unless the IAEA is granted access to whatever Iranian sites are required to verify that Iran’s program is exclusively peaceful – period," the diplomat said.Blinken stressed that any deal on the nuclear program is a compromise. Therefore, the very best way to prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon is through a verified, negotiated agreement, Blinken emphasized.According to him, Tehran is fulfilling its obligations under the joint action, and IAEA inspectors "have daily access" to its nuclear facilities. "And they’ve been able to verify that Iran is indeed honoring its commitments," the Deputy Secretary of State said.

US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken explained some points of the forthcoming agreement with Iran, speaking at the American Jewish Committee Global Forum in Washington.

According to the diplomat, he was trying to "dispel the myths" about the impending deal. "Many of these concerns are simply misplaced and are more myth than fact," TASS cited him as saying.

"First, the deal that we are working to achieve will not expire. There will not be a so-called 'sunset'. Different requirements of the deal would have different durations, but some – including Iran’s commitment to all of the obligations of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, including the obligation not to build a nuclear weapon, as well as the tough access and monitoring provisions of the Additional Protocol – those would continue in perpetuity," Blinken said.

"Secondly, this deal would provide such extensive levels of transparency that if Iran fails to comply with the international community’s obligations, we’ll know about it – and we will know it virtually right away, giving us plenty of time to respond diplomatically, or, if necessary, by other means," he assured, adding that "most of the sanctions would be suspended – not ended – for a long period of time, with provisions to snap back automatically if Iran reneges on its commitments."

"Thirdly, we would not agree to a deal unless the IAEA is granted access to whatever Iranian sites are required to verify that Iran’s program is exclusively peaceful – period," the diplomat said.

Blinken stressed that any deal on the nuclear program is a compromise. Therefore, the very best way to prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon is through a verified, negotiated agreement, Blinken emphasized.

According to him, Tehran is fulfilling its obligations under the joint action, and IAEA inspectors "have daily access" to its nuclear facilities. "And they’ve been able to verify that Iran is indeed honoring its commitments," the Deputy Secretary of State said.