Hot Spots
07/20/2015
Iran Deal: Timeline
Oren Dorell of USA TODAY had a simple timeline for the major actions between Iran and the world powers that among other things would allow for the sanctions to be lifted.
First step: The United Nations Security Council will pass “without delay” a resolution endorsing the agreement. [Note: This passed on July 20, unanimously.]
Next 60 days: Congress has this amount of time to review the deal. Expect a vote in early September. President Obama will veto any effort (resolution) to derail it.
Within three months: Iran is to address evidence of its past nuclear weapons work obtained by the International Atomic Energy Agency, especially as it pertains to the military base at Parchin, where it is suspected Iran was experimenting with nuclear triggers. Answering the IAEA’s questions is required for sanctions relief. Iran has long denied it conducted any weapons research. Of course Iran is lying like they always do.
In five months: The IAEA will issue its report on Iran’s past nuclear research, including any evidence of weapons work, by Dec. 15.
In five years: A U.N. arms embargo on Iran will be lifted.
After 8.5 years: Iran may begin testing up to 30 of its most advanced centrifuge machines.
After 10 years: Iran can begin to expand its capacity to process uranium, using more efficient centrifuge machines. If Iran cheats, U.N. sanctions will be reimposed for a decade.
After 15 years: Iran may begin to enrich uranium close to bomb-grade and to expand enrichment activities to more than one facility. Until year 15, Iran will not build any plutonium reprocessing plant or new heavy water reactors that produce plutonium. Plutonium can be reprocessed to fuel a nuclear bomb. Limits on uranium enrichment end at Iran’s fortified underground facility at Fordow.
Sources: Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action; White House fact sheet; State Department
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Brian Trumbore
