Iran Newsclips, January 26, 2015
david.cutler
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Geranmayeh: Sabotaging a Deal with Iran, New York Times
Obama still hates the new, watered-down Iran sanctions bill, CNN
Menendez could delay Iran sanctions measure until March, The Hill
ey Dems Waver on New Iran Sanctions Bill, Washington Free Beacon
Iran Sanctions Showdown Is Drawing New Battlelines in Congress, Defense One
Rand Paul Confronts Rubio And Cruz: ‘Are You Ready To Send Ground Troops Into Iran?’ Think Progress
Rand Paul Challenges Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz on Iran, New York Times
Republicans stuck between two paths on Iran, Politico
Liberal group challenges Menendez over his support of new Iran sanctions, NJ.com
Editorial: No Confidence Votes on Iran, Wall Street Journal
Editorial: Playing Politics on Iran, New York Times
Netanyahu defends planned Congress speech as anti-Iran strategy, Reuters
Iran warns sanctions would threaten nuclear deal, Radio Zamaneh
Jenkins: Let Nuclear Sanctions on Iran Serve Their Final Purpose, Lobe Log
Iran nuclear deal unlikely by March as significant gaps remain, official says, Haaretz
Goldenberg, Stokes and Heras: The Real U.S.-Iran Dilemma: What Happens After a Nuclear Deal? The National Interest
Iran "resolute" over peaceful nuclear rights, Xinhua
Iran Holds West Responsible for Nuclear Talk Failure – Shamkhani, Uskowi on Iran
Iranian foreign policy: The long arm, The Economist
Iran's foreign minister summoned to parliament over walk with Kerry, Reuters
Iraqi PM says West and Iran both helping against Islamic State, Reuters
Is Iran now in control of Yemen's Air Force? Uskowi on Iran
Why did Iran, Morocco resume relations? Al-Monitor
King’s funeral prompts Zarif’s first Saudi visit, Radio Zamaneh
Geranmayeh: Sabotaging a Deal with Iran, New York Times, January 25, 2015
Iran must not allow its short-term ideological pursuits in the region to jeopardize its overarching strategic objective: achieving a comprehensive nuclear deal that brings sanctions relief and provides Iran the option of having a functional relationship with the West. Likewise, the United States must not allow a myopic and obstructionist Congress to derail a deal that is in Washington’s long-term interest and strengthens global security.
Obama still hates the new, watered-down Iran sanctions bill, CNN, January 22, 2015
"Sanctions have worked and is what got Iran to the negotiating table. The best solution is a strong diplomatic deal. The question is whether passing new sanctions now would help us get there," said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in a statement. "The President strongly believes it would gravely harm negotiations, and therefore, I am willing to give him more time before supporting this bill." Kate Gould, the lead Iran lobbyist for the Quaker-founded Friends Committee on National Legislation, said she is making sure key offices are aware of the grassroots opposition. "Passing a triggered sanctions bill is playing chicken with diplomacy," Gould said. "Passing new sanctions that wouldn't take effect unless certain conditions are met may very well provoke Iranian hardliners into responding in kind."
Menendez could delay Iran sanctions measure until March, The Hill, January 25, 2015
The issue has created tensions between the president and Menendez, who reportedly clashed during a recent Democratic Senate retreat. And when the president issued a veto threat at last Tuesday's State of the Union, Menendez did not stand up and applause. “I was tired. I got up 98 percent of the time during that speech, and I obviously would support a veto on any of these issues. That’s stuff I shed blood for," he told the Star-Ledger. However, he said, “If you want to have a relationship, why start off with a litany of veto threats?...I’m not sure that was the best way to approach the beginning of a new Congress with Republicans in charge.”
Key Dems Waver on New Iran Sanctions Bill, Washington Free Beacon, January 26, 2015
Sen. Mark Kirk (R., Ill.) is poised to file new Iran sanctions legislation on Monday with or without the support of key Democrats who have backed the bill in the past, including Sens. Robert Menendez (D., N.J.) and Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.), according to sources familiar with the ongoing negotiations.
Iran Sanctions Showdown Is Drawing New Battlelines in Congress, Defense One, January 26, 2015
The real fight over Iran sanctions isn’t between the White House and the new Republican majority in Congress — it’s a no-holds-barred, intra-party battle that, until now, has largely been fought behind closed doors and between the lines of statements to the press in the U.S. Capitol and capitals worldwide. … But off-camera, the leadership is taking a wait-and-see approach, eager to avoid expending precious political capital on legislation that can’t withstand Obama’s veto.
Rand Paul Confronts Rubio And Cruz: ‘Are You Ready To Send Ground Troops Into Iran?’ Think Progress, January 26, 2015
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) broke ties with his fellow Republicans on Saturday and reiterated his support for the international negotiations aimed at stopping Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. “I’m a big fan of trying the diplomatic option as long as we can,” Paul said during a presidential forum organized by Freedom Partners, a group backed by billionaires Charles and David Koch. “I do think diplomacy is better than war.”
Rand Paul Challenges Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz on Iran, New York Times, January 26, 2015
“This is the worst negotiation in the history of mankind,” Mr. Cruz told the forum. He predicted that Iran will soon be able to launch nuclear strikes against “Tel Aviv, New York or Los Angeles” and said the problem with Iran is that Ayatollah Mohammed Khomeini, the supreme leader, and the ruling mullahs are “radical Islamic nutcases.” Mr. Rubio added, “At this pace, in five years, we’re going to build the bomb for them.” … “Are you ready to send ground troops into Iran? Are you ready to bomb them? Are you ready to send in 100,000 troops?” Mr. Paul asked. “I’m a big fan of trying to exert and trying the diplomatic option as long as we can. If it fails, I will vote to resume sanctions and I would vote to have new sanctions,” he said. “But if you do it in the middle of negotiations, you’re ruining it.”
Republicans stuck between two paths on Iran, Politico, January 22, 2015
Yet some Republicans are starting to take sides. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) seemed to agree with the sentiment from the White House that a vote on explicit sanctions measure could derail the delicate negotiations with Iran. Instead, he said, the forthcoming Corker-Graham bill would place sanctions on Iran only if Congress rejects the final deal on Tehran’s nuclear program.
Liberal group challenges Menendez over his support of new Iran sanctions, NJ.com, January 24, 2015
A liberal group that has spent more than $1 million in the last two congressional elections in support of Democratic candidates has lined up against U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez over his support of stronger sanctions against Iran.
Editorial: No Confidence Votes on Iran, Wall Street Journal, January 22, 2015
President Obama is unhappy with House Speaker John Boehner for inviting Israel’s Prime Minister to address Congress without consulting the White House, with spokesman Josh Earnest calling it a “departure” from protocol. What Mr. Obama should really worry about is that Members of Congress in both parties are showing a stunning lack of confidence in his Iran diplomacy.
Editorial: Playing Politics on Iran, New York Times, January 23, 2015
There is no doubt that Mr. Obama will maintain America’s security commitments to Israel, whatever the tensions over the Iran issue. But this event is bound to further harm a bilateral relationship that has endured a lot of battering over the past six years. The White House has said that, understandably, Mr. Obama will not meet with Mr. Netanyahu when he is in town. Even Mr. Kerry, who recently called almost 50 world leaders in an effort to block the Palestinians’ attempt to join the International Criminal Court, is losing patience with Mr. Netanyahu’s decision to “play politics,” according to his aides. Can Mr. Netanyahu really afford to dismiss such allies?
Netanyahu defends planned Congress speech as anti-Iran strategy, Reuters, January 25, 2015
"In coming weeks, the powers are liable to reach a framework agreement with Iran, an agreement liable to leave Iran as a nuclear threshold state," he said in remarks carried by Israeli broadcasters. "As prime minister of Israel, I am obligated to make every effort to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weaponry that will be aimed at the State of Israel. This effort is global and I will go anywhere I am invited to make the State of Israel's case and defend its future and existence."
Iran warns sanctions would threaten nuclear deal, Radio Zamaneh, January 25, 2015
Mohammad Javad Zarif, who met with his U.S. counterpart on Friday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, said: “We have an agreement that looks ahead to achieving a final comprehensive agreement. Anyone who destroys this deal, in my opinion, should be isolated by the global community, be it the U.S. Congress or any other.”
Jenkins: Let Nuclear Sanctions on Iran Serve Their Final Purpose, Lobe Log, January 26, 2015
Iran agreed to the JPOA, in return for much less relief than they needed, because it appeared to be a precursor to a comprehensive agreement, under which Iran would get major relief. If a comprehensive agreement ceases to be a realistic prospect, Iran will resist any further extensions to the JPOA. There’s an old English saying: “Don’t spoil the ship for a ha’p’orth of tar.” A proliferation-proof deal with Iran is there to be had, but this prize will evaporate if the US and EU cling to their beloved sanctions like a miser to his hoard of gold.
Iran nuclear deal unlikely by March as significant gaps remain, official says, Haaretz, January 26, 2015
The gaps between Iran and the six world powers on Tehran’s nuclear program are significant and an agreement is unlikely to be sealed before March, an Israeli official with knowledge of the negotiations told reporters Monday. “I don’t believe that an agreement will come at any price,” the official said at the press briefing. “No one can declare with any certainty that an agreement will be reached shortly. It’s hard to envision a scenario in which the negotiations, and all the surrounding technical and diplomatic complexities, conclude by the end of March.”
Goldenberg, Stokes and Heras: The Real U.S.-Iran Dilemma: What Happens After a Nuclear Deal? The National Interest, January 23, 2015
However, a deal that truly resolves the nuclear issue can be a foundation for progress. In the immediate aftermath of an agreement the United States should pursue a patient, limited and piecemeal approach focused first on areas where cooperation would be most natural and least worrisome to our Arab partners. Over time, this policy can expand and eventually move Iran and the United States towards a much more normal relationship akin to those with China or Russia where the two states work together on issues of common interest even as they continue to compete when their interests diverge. Such an outcome could truly improve the regional-security environment of the Middle East. But Iran’s decision to address the international community’s concerns about its nuclear program must be the first step.
Iran "resolute" over peaceful nuclear rights, Xinhua, January 26, 2015
"As for the nuclear issue, the Islamic republic is after the peaceful use of nuclear energy and wants to enjoy its rights within the framework of international regulations and the Non-Proliferation Treaty or NPT," Rouhani said in a meeting with the visiting Croatian Foreign Minister Vesna Pusic. "We (Iran and the world powers) have had very good talks over the past year and are very close to an agreement," he said, adding that "political will is needed to accelerate the results in the talks."
Iran Holds West Responsible for Nuclear Talk Failure – Shamkhani, Uskowi on Iran, January 25, 2015
“Iran’s nuclear negotiations with the P5+1 serve as a test of these countries’ honesty to see how committed they are to the path of negotiations and removal of all the illegal and cruel sanctions,” Shamkhani said, referring to UN Security Council and additional U.S. and EU imposed sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. “We will show proper reaction and take due action appropriate to the attitude and performance shown by the opposite side,” he added.
Iranian foreign policy: The long arm, The Economist, January 24, 2015
Its meddling also undermines the overtures by Iran’s president, Hassan Rohani, and his foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, who want Iran to be accepted as a normal state—starting with a deal with America and other Western powers over its nuclear programme. Some in the West think a nuclear deal could be part of a grand bargain to stabilise the Middle East. But more likely Iran would simply pocket a deal on its nuclear programme and continue its current policy in the region. Indeed it is already hinting at doing so.
Iran's foreign minister summoned to parliament over walk with Kerry, Reuters, January 25, 2015
Media images of the top diplomats from old adversaries strolling together in a foreign land provoked an outcry among Iranian hard-liners deeply wary of rapprochement with the "Great Satan". On Friday, conservative-leaning prayer leaders heaped scorn on Zarif and President Hassan Rouhani for the "diplomatic slip-up" and newspapers said 21 members of parliament had signed a petition to call in the moderate minister to provide an explanation.
Iraqi PM says West and Iran both helping against Islamic State, Reuters, January 23, 2015
Washington and Tehran are at odds on most issues, from Iran's disputed nuclear program to the conflict in Syria, but in Iraq they share a common interest in helping Abadi defeat the Sunni militants. Abadi said that while the West was sometimes slow to deliver help, Iran was filling the gap. "They have been prompt in sending us arms and ammunition without even asking for immediate payments," he said in comments likely to be noted in Washington, which worries about the extent of Iranian influence over its neighbor. Abadi made a special mention of Qassem Soleimani - the head of Iran's elite military Quds Force, one of Iran's most powerful people - as an ally against Islamic State.
Is Iran now in control of Yemen's Air Force? Uskowi on Iran, January 26, 2015
Rumors are currently swirling of effective Iranian control of the Yemeni Air Force (YAF), following news of Ansarullah forces besieging the residence of Yemeni defense minister as well as the the YAF headquarters in Sanaa. It is said YAF is in a state of mutiny, refusing to undertake air operations against AQAP. There are reports in Aden Post that Iranian crews and technicians have been sent to Sanaa International Airport, as effective safeguards of YAF air assets. There is even concern YAF Mikoyan MiG-29 fighters are to be sent to Iran for safekeeping, using Iranian crews.
Why did Iran, Morocco resume relations? Al-Monitor, January 26, 2015
On Dec. 20, Iran appointed an ambassador to Morocco, five years after diplomatic relations between the two countries were severed at the instigation of Morocco. Ongoing contacts between the two countries’ foreign ministers since February 2014 suggest that Morocco will soon reciprocate and name its own ambassador. … Francois Nicoullaud, a French international policy analyst and former ambassador to Iran, said, “From the time they took office, President Rouhani and his team chose to erase the bad memories of [former President Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad’s reign and restore cordial, or at least normal, relations with several countries, starting with countries in the Arabian Peninsula and Morocco.”
King’s funeral prompts Zarif’s first Saudi visit, Radio Zamaneh, January 26, 2015
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif travelled to Riyadh as Iran’s representative at the funeral of Malek Abdullah, the Saudi king who passed away this week. The Mehr News Agency reports that Zarif, who was in Davos, Switzerland attending the World Economic Forum, departed for Saudi Arabia on Saturday January 24. This is the first trip to Saudi Arabia by Hassan Rohani’s foreign minister.