“Under no circumstances should we relieve pressure on Iran relative to ballistic missile capabilities and arms trafficking”, the top USA military officer, Army General Martin Dempsey, said at a July 7 hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
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US Secretary of State John Kerry announced late Friday that talks with Iran will continue through next week.
Actions speak louder than words.
Is the United Nations arms embargo on Iran “nuclear-related”? “Iran is a consistent supporter of the struggle against ISIS and lifting the arms embargo would help Iran to advance its efficiency in fighting terrorism”, he added, referring to one of the acronyms for the Islamic State.
It would also be a political success for both US President Barack Obama and Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani.
“It’s not the USA negotiating with Iran”, Gary Sick said.
“Indeed, the decision as to what type of compromise and what solution will be the cornerstone of resolution of the Iranian nuclear program will be clearly made by Tehran”.
Elliott Abrams, a deputy national security adviser for George W. Bush, said the Iranian arms embargo will become even more critical in future years. However, this ban did not include items like Russia’s S-300 anti-aircraft system – the sale of which Russian Federation voluntarily cancelled.
“To end the arms embargo now would be throwing gasoline in a fire: the flames would spread”.
Kerry also spoke by phone with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Western countries are keen not to allow Iran to begin importing arms because of its role supporting sides in conflicts in the Middle East. Iran has powerful support on this issue from Russian Federation.
Let’s put aside the fact that Cullis’ reading of the law is far from accurate.
“We have serious concerns with Iranian malign activities outside of the nuclear issue”, he said in Senate testimony.
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Under the parameters of a framework deal reached in Lausanne in April, Iran is due to slash the number of its centrifuges from more than 19,000 to just over 6,000 and cut its stocks of enriched uranium, which can be used to make a bomb, from more than seven tons to about 350 kilos (770 pounds). What Cullis and NIAC are seeking is to lift the embargo that prevents Iran from arming groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, and other U.S.-designated terrorist groups.
