CHEAT SHEET – IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL

The new Iran Nuclear agreement constructed by President Barack Obama, which would lift international sanctions against Iran in exchange for a halt to their nuclear program, could begin to be implemented by the end of this month, thanks to its recent backing by Senate Democrats.

However, the deal, one of Obama’s most significant pieces of legislation during his presidency, and its future in relation to the United States could change with the next president. Several Republican presidential candidates oppose the deal, including Donald Trump and Ted Cruz, who both appeared at a “Stop the Iran Nuclear Deal Rally” Sept. 9.

The finer details of the agreement remain a hot-button topic for presidential candidates, and the debate is expected to continue well into election season.

Iran-U.S. Relations

The United States began imposing oil and gas-related sanctions on Iran after the Iranian Revolution of 1979, which marked the overthrow of the West-supported Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi and replaced his rule with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s Islamic republic. The sanctions expanded in 1995 to include firms dealing with Iran and in 2006 after Iran refused to suspend its uranium enrichment program.

The United States has spearheaded the effort for continued enforcement of the sanctions, which the majority of Western governments have followed. The primary argument for the sanctions is the West’s fear of Iran developing a nuclear weapon, which a lack of restrictions would make it easier for Iran to carry out.

The tide began to turn at the beginning of Obama’s presidency, when a senior U.S. diplomat met one-on-one with a top nuclear negotiator for Iran. And in 2013, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Obama spoke by telephone, leading Obama to say he believed Iran and the U.S. could reach a solution.

After extended discussions between Iran and six world powers – the United States, France, Germany, Great Britain, Russia and China — a framework nuclear deal was announced this April. A more comprehensive, official version was announced in July.

What are the specifics of the deal?

The deal focuses on Iran’s capabilities of creating a nuclear weapon and the ability of Western countries to keep an eye on their weapons production. Under the agreement, Iran cannot build a nuclear weapon and must allow inspections by Western countries for the next 15 years. In return, the United States lifts its previous sanctions.

By the numbers, Iran must limit its uranium enrichment to 3.67 percent (below weapons grade), eliminate 98 percent of its uranium stockpile and cut its number of centrifuges, which assist in uranium enrichment, by two-thirds. Iran must also give the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) more access to its nuclear sites.

In return, the United Nations lifts Iran’s arms embargo within five years, unfreezes Iran assets in foreign banks and lifts international trade sanctions. However, the deal provides no fixed time for the sanctions relief, which would give Iran incentive to comply.

What’s next?

The UN Security Council’s unanimous endorsement of the nuclear deal in July has made the agreement enforceable under international law. Once the IAEA verifies Iran’s compliance to the deal, the UN will begin to lift the sanctions.

The United States’ backing of the deal was dependent upon a third of the House and Senate to approve Obama’s agreement. On Sept. 10, Senate Democrats blocked a resolution led by House Republicans that would force Obama to veto the legislation.

The deal automatically takes effect Sept. 17, giving opponents in Congress little time to push for legislation to end the agreement.