- The Media Line - https://themedialine.org -

Iran Marches into the Breach, Again

The Islamic Republic is compounding its breach of the 2015 nuclear agreement with Western nations with the announcement of the second, more serious abrogation within a mere two weeks. Without revealing any numbers, a government spokesman said on Sunday that in addition to massing more enriched uranium than the agreed-upon300 kg (600+ pounds), the level of enrichment will exceed 3.67 percent. When asked what the new level will be, spokesman Ali Rabiei would only say “to the level based on our needs.” The back-to-back flouting of the agreement justify the warnings that became synonymous with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the contentious debate of the deal; and formed part of the basis of President Trump’s withdrawal from the pact when he took office. In a bizarre policy statement, Iranian deputy foreign minister Abbas Aragchi called the deal a “valid agreement” even as Tehran eviscerates the understanding. Netanyahu, meanwhile, is asking where the “snap-back” provisions are. During the debate over the deal, proponents promised that if Iran were to break the deal so-called “snap-back” provisions would automatically fall into place, but there is so far no indication of that happening.