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Doubts over Iran nuclear verification, former-US intel chief criticises deal
France’s Foreign Minister yesterday said that no guarantees have yet been given by Iran on verifying the proposed deal on its nuclear programme. Meanwhile, a former Obama administration intelligence chief told a Congressional committee that the proposed accord has “severe deficiencies.”
Iran and the P5+1 (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) agreed a framework to a comprehensive nuclear deal in April, paving the way for negotiations to begin towards a long-term accord, which must be agreed by the end of this month. However, both sides have since indicated differences over fundamental issues such as Iran’s use of advanced centrifuges, the pace of sanctions relief and provision for international inspections.
Yesterday, France’s Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius cast further doubt on whether gaps can be bridged over mechanisms to verify the activities at Iran’s nuclear facilities. He told BFM TV, “We must be able to verify the sites … We don’t yet have certainty on this.” He added, “We want a deal with Iran but … the deal must be verifiable, solid, robust and today we don’t have guarantees on this … A deal that cannot be verified cannot be implemented.” Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei last month indicated that Tehran would not permit any site inspections whatsoever.
Meanwhile, retired US Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, former head of the US Defence Intelligence Agency until August 2014, gave evidence to the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the nascent deal. He described it as “not a permanent fix but merely a placeholder,” in the hope that “the Iranian regime change its strategic course,” which he concluded is “wishful thinking.” Flynn warned, “Iran has every intention to build a nuclear weapon” and that “Iran’s stated desire to destroy Israel is very real.” As for the proposed accord itself, he said it is especially weak regarding site inspections, one of several “severe deficiencies.”
Haaretz reports that Israel’s National Security Advisor Yossi Cohen will lead an Israeli delegation to Washington next week to discuss the unfolding agreement.