Saturday, December 28, 2013

More than $150MILLION in U.S. contracts with Afghan companies have gone to groups that back anti-American terrorist attacks

More than $150MILLION in U.S. contracts with Afghan companies have gone to groups that back anti-American terrorist attacks

By Meghan Keneally
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A new investigation has revealed that the U.S. government has paid more than $150million to groups that fund terror attacks against American soldiers.
The findings have been reported by the Pentagon itself as the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction compiled a list of 43 such companies who are connected to Taliban leaders who have arranged bombs and attacks on American targets.
'It's like the United States government subsidizing the Taliban, al Qaeda, the Haqqani network, those groups that are trying to shoot and kill our soldiers,' New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen told ABC News.
Outrage: Senator Jeanne Shaheen spoke out after the report from the Pentagon revealed that 43 Afghan companies that the U.S. government awarded contracts to have connections to terrorist groups
Outrage: Senator Jeanne Shaheen spoke out after the report from the Pentagon revealed that 43 Afghan companies that the U.S. government awarded contracts to have connections to terrorist groups

The Haqqani Network may be lesser known of those three groups, but they are familiar to security experts.
The group has been blamed for the attack on the American embassy in Kabul in 2011 that left 16 people dead.
 
Rather than give money to the group directly, the way that American funds have made its way through to the organization is via a road construction company that is owned by the Haqqani Network.
The company is one of 43 such private companies that the government has given contracts to, and although they have denied the connection to the Haqqani Network, the Pentagon still listed them in the report.
On guard: The American embassy was attacked in 2011 and 16 people died
On guard: The American embassy was attacked in 2011 and 16 people died

Questionable: The Haqqani Network, who was responsible for an attack on the American embassy in Kabul in 2011, was listed as a groups that had a connection to one such road construction company
Questionable: The Haqqani Network, who was responsible for an attack on the American embassy in Kabul in 2011, was listed as a groups that had a connection to one such road construction company

Red tape and bureaucracy are keeping these contracts from being immediately pulled in light of the new revelations.
'The reason they've given us is that it's not fair to these contractors that the evidence that we've presented, and this is evidence collected by the United States government, is classified,' said Special Inspector General John Sopko.
'That's the absurdity of it. We can probably attack them via drone on Monday and we'll issue them a contract on Tuesday,' the told ABC News.
All told, the 43 contracts that have been highlighted by Mr Sopko's department's report total more than $150million.
Collecting data: Special Inspector General John Sopko helped compile the list of 43 companies that had ties to terrorist organizations
Collecting data: Special Inspector General John Sopko helped compile the list of 43 companies that had ties to terrorist organizations

'I am deeply troubled that the U.S. military can pursue, attack, and even kill terrorists and their supporters, but that some in the U.S. government believe we cannot prevent these same people from receiving a government contract,' Mr Sopko wrote in a report he submitted to Congress last July.
'I feel such a position is not only legally wrong, it is contrary to good public policy and contrary to our national security goals in Afghanistan.'
Following the report, the Army put out a statement saying that the companies have not be awarded new contracts in light of the findings, but they did not say anything about ending the contracts currently in place.
'The army takes seriously any allegations of improper contractor activities and has vigorous processes to ensure that those with whom we do business are not supporting the insurgency or otherwise opposing U.S. and collation forces in Afghanistan,' the statement said.

he Secret Talks Between Obama and the Mullahs

he Secret Talks Between Obama and the Mullahs


obama-rouhaniI have long pointed out that Barack Obama’s administration, and particularly president Obama himself, has been more than likely clandestinely communicating and working with the Islamic Republic of Iran much longer than just before the current nuclear talks, and even long before President Hassan Rouhani came to the United States to attend the UN General Assembly. Several national and international outlets have just released more details and reports on this issue.
The crucial point of this issue is that while the American people were told by the Obama administration (an image projected by President Obama) that this September’s “historic” telephone call between President Obama and President Rouhani was the first diplomatic outreach to achieve agreement on nuclear issues, the recent revelations indicate otherwise.
These secrets talks, surreptitious letters, leading to confidential and classified negotiations between Obama and the Islamist leaders of Iran, were initiated long before the current nuclear talks, right after the current president of Iran was elected to office.
According to several outlets, including the Daily Beast, the Blaze, and the Washington Times, the White House— under the leadership of President Obama— started lifting and easing its sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran right after President Hassan Rouhani took office.
According to The Daily Beast, Mark Dubowitz, the executive director of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a group that works closely with Congress and the White House regarding Iranian matters, stated that for “five months, since Rouhani’s election, the United States has offered Iran two major forms of sanctions relief.” In addition, Dubowitz pointed out that Iran has been selling oil illegally on the black market, leading to a large profitable amount of illegal revenues for Iran.
This also explains why President Obama has tried to oppose any sort of sanctions, policy recommendations, and legislation presented by the overwhelming majority of congressional representatives.
While it took several American administrations, the international community, the United Nations, and European countries to identify illicit institutions and actors in Iran who have abused the international financial sector, the Obama administration is quietly reversing these processes.
The Obama administration’s policy of quietly lessening financial pressure on Iran has significantly emboldened the position of Iranian Islamists in the international arena.
According to Dubowitz, two types of relief and special offers have been given to Iran by the Obama administration.
Firstly, the Obama administration has significantly decreased issuing designations of sanctions violators in comparison to any previous administrations. This is occurring at a time when Iran has been more rapidly working on its nuclear program and increasing its centrifuges, according to the latest report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Iran has also increased the number of engineers working at a new plutonium plant, and according to many nuclear experts, Iran will reach the breakaway capacity of developing bomb-grade nuclear weapons within the first six months of next year.
These secrets concessions have significantly assisted the new president of Iran, allowing the administration to make millions of dollars in profit by increasing its oil sale in the illegal black market. While President Obama has not only done nothing to counter it, but has also assured the Iranian Islamist leaders that they have the green light to receive further relief down the road.  This is in complete violation of the financial global standards.
Secondly, and more importantly, the Obama administration has been offering Iran special deals by opposing sanction recommendations coming from both parties in Congress. In addition, Iranian lawmakers have previously pointed out that President Obama has previously sent secret letters to the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. While the Obama administration denies that they sent a secret letter to Khamenei, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed that Tehran did receive the secret letter to the Supreme Leader. Furthermore, as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, pointed out, US Secretary of State John Kerry is currently pushing for an agreement with Iran on its nuclear program, which will ease sanction on Iran without even asking Tehran to slow down its nuclear activities.
The secrecy of the Obama administration’s work with the Islamist leaders of Iran is brining, and will continue to bring, further severe repercussions for American national interest, which will just intensify as these clandestine communications networks continue to occur. Some of the negative backlash to this event is aimed at how the Obama administration is alienating its regional allies, particular Israel, through these acts. By these secret reliefs, the Obama administration is significantly assisting Iran in more quickly obtaining bomb-grade nuclear capabilities and weapons. The Obama administration is also breaking the number one rule in foreign service, in which United States prohibits its diplomat from contacting Iranian counterparts. Finally, and more fundamentally, this move has worked to embolden the Islamists’ position, weakening and damaging the American image.
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  • ahmad76
    That is why we love Obam. Thanks for all American who elected him twice, not only once, but twice. I am sure he would be elected for the third and fourth time if he was allowed to run.
    • gerry
      If hewere allowedto,he would be reelected for the rest of his natural life.
    • Carabec
      What makes you think there will not be a third and fourth term? He ignores the Constitution and no one Congress, Senate, Supreme Court or Military speaks a word against this Occupior of the Oval Office!
      • defcon 4
        This is what I’m wondering. Who knows if a Reichstag scenario hasn’t already been planned for 2016.
      • 11bravo
        Give it a break Whack-a-doodles!
        • Carabec
          Why do Liberals so often resort to name calling and baby talk?
          • 11bravo
            I do not know, go ask one.
            Why does FP draw some in the comments sections who just prove all the back-woods – birther – truther – racist stereotypes that have smeared the Tea Party, and in general the GOP?
            If the best you can do is just keep bringing up whack-a-doodle nonsense…Why bother, we have heard it (and you have already said it) a million times before. You are not furthering anything by doing it.
          • Carabec
            What?
        • defcon 4
          And Islam is really a religion of peace!
          • 11bravo
            It is not really a religion at all – let alone peaceful.
  • Navy Doc
    One word: Jarrett
  • iagozdi212
    my Aunty
    Madison got an awesome white Jaguar XF XFR by working parttime online…
    official source w­w­w.B­I­G­29.c­o­m
  • Hass
    I wish Israel would just get this over and done with. The way this Muslime POTUS is going, they’re sure to be ready sooner than we think.
  • Allah is Dead
    Islam is for barbarians
    • ahmad76
      Chrstianianity and Christians are more barbarous. Just look at its history
      • Drakken
        Well if that is what you believe muzlim, don’t make us angry, otherwise we infidels will give you that Crusades you so fear.
      • defcon 4
        Tell it to:
        1. the Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists of the Indian sub-continent
        2. Persian Jews, Persian Zoroastrians (if there are any left in Iran) and Persian Baha’i
        3. the Buddhists of Myanmar
      • DB1954
        When we get rid of your co-religionist, Hussein, we’re going to redeploy the Crusaders AND their “barbarism.” But meanwhile. ahmad, have a nice day :-)
        • Lanna
          Americans are making ready, they know all about the plans Obama has!
      • Hass
        Please elaborate oh Pedo worshipper.
      • joshuasweet
        yes I have and so far the extent of Muslim atrocities far out number those of so called Christians.
        They do not subjugate their women to the levels that Muslims do.
        Our women are allowed to drive go to school and work outside of the home.
        and where do you think the word “Barbarous” came from in the first place?
  • http://fdnyretiree.com/ Ed FDNYRetiree
    Why are we surprised?
    We’ve known from the start: OBAMA IS MOOSLIM!
  • benabo1machal
    What else could have been expected, a MooSLIME President betraying his country to another MooSLIME.
    Viva OBAMACARE, the betrayal of the American people
  • Patriots Rising
    Everybody treats Obama with kid gloves for fear of being labeled a racist, not even Congress has the gonads to oppose his unconstitutional ways! I stand with Israel..
  • SoCalMike
    When an Iranian bomb goes off in NY or Washington, the people who voted for him twice will blame Bush.
  • Obamaroid_Ointment
    OBAMA AKBAR!
  • drthomasedavis
    How many crimes against the United States is Obama allowed before he is brought to trial for TREASON? When British Major John Andre was caught with the plans of West Point, he was hanged then and there. I suggest that Obama is far over the limit, deserves no further consideration and has earned a limb high on the Hanging Tree.
    Dr. Thomas E. Davis, Colonel, USA (ret)
    326 F Nantucket Lane
    Monroe Twp, NJ 08831
    • glpage
      I would prefer a firing squad sir. Hanging him would be considered racist.
      BTW, thank you for your service sir.
      • Drakken
        A firing squad is considered and honorable thing, a hanging is for traitors.
        • glpage
          I stand corrected, thank you for the clarification.
        • DB1954
          And the nice thing is, the condemned either poops his pants before or after. Sometimes before, because, after all, who wouldn’t after they see the noose.
          Bwahahahaa
    • defcon 4
      Thank you for your service sir. A belated Happy Veteran’s day to you and yours.
  • 2wotvet
    If Obama is a Muslim, then how come he isn’t doing more Islamic things, like marrying his daughters to old Muslim men or honor killing his wife for not covering herself up? It’s not like he has a cover to blow, everyone with a brain knows he’s a Muslim, bowing to the Saudis and actively helping Iran destroy Israel is clear cut proof of that. It’s not like it will offend his leftist allies, they already ignore the
    millions of girls who are mutilated and murdered in the Islamic world.
    So why hasn’t Hussein Obama whipped out the sword that all Muslims own and cut his wife’s head off?
    • defcon 4
      Two words: stealth jihad.
    • 11bravo
      I don’t know, why don’t YOU tell US why?
  • Mahmoud
    Islam will one day conquer US.
    • Drakken
      You really have no idea what is going to happen to you and yours do you Haji? Here is a hint, it ends with something called a Crusades on steroids and a bloodbath for you muslim savages, and we infidels are not going to give a rats azz how peace loving you say you are, for no one is going to care, we are simply going to let allh sortem out.
      • Mahmoud
        Islam will win, based on Quran. Mehdi will cone and behead all non-Muslims. …
      • Mahmoud
        U should convert to Islam, bro.
        • American1969
          You should accept Jesus as your Savior. May He show you the light!
    • Chris Behme
      Fuck off, goat breath.
    • DB1954
      You won’t be here to see it, Mahmoud.
    • defcon 4
      But islam is a religion of peace. Right? Riiiigggggggghhhhhhhhhtttttt?
    • Hass
      Hey imbecile! Keep deluding yourself. Whilst the West evolves further, Muslimes keep devolving.
    • pekin
      Over OUR DEAD BODIES MOHUD
  • Mahmoud
    It is called secret Jihad dear and it is the most awarding in the eyes of Allah.
    • Drakken
      You muslims gives us jihad, well us infidels will raise you a Crusades.
    • DB1954
      Jihad isn’t a secret. I read all the counter-jihad websites everyday.
    • defcon 4
      Why would jihad have to be secret? I thought it refers to enriching one’s personal life. Conquering one’s fears. Making friends. Saying hello. Admiring a rainbow. Singing in the rain.
  • Drakken
    The questions that should be asked is, why did Valerie Jarret visit Iran more than a dozen times and not a word was said about it? What exactly has ole Val been pushing policy wise in regards to Iran? Who else in the White is pushing for peace in our time with Iran? Most transparent administration ever huh? We as a nation are in deep kemshi.
  • Itsy_bitsy
    Well let’s see! How is Barack doing on the goals he and Valerie set; 1) destroy US economy – check 3) subjugate all school curriculum and radically socialize it – check 4) put 60% of the people on welfare – great inroads 5) install sharia law – working on it 6) allow all and any illegal immigration (more democrat voters) – soon very soon 7) install a fully armed Obama military within the country – check! Actually it appears that they have both been pretty successful at achieving their goals!
  • BadWhisky
    The Constitutional word for this is treason…..
    • DB1954
      Sedition too.
  • MrUniteUs1
    Meanwhile
    George W. Bush Wants to Help Convert All the Jews
  • Mahmoud
    Islam will win, based on Quran. Mehdi will cone and behead all non-Muslims.
    • defcon 4
      Is the Mehdi a cone head? Was he on SNL?
  • YouMustBeMistaken
    Jarrett the Iranian is sending her boy to do her job.
  • Lanna
    Obama has always been working with Islam and against Israel…no surprise to those of us who know the facts!
  • American1969
    WORST PRESIDENT EVER.

Iran Strongly Rejects Text of Geneva Agreement Released by White House Iran Strongly Rejects

Iran Strongly Rejects Text of Geneva Agreement Released by White House
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday called invalid a press release by the White House alleged to be the text of the nuclear agreement struck by Iran and the Group 5+1 (the US, Russia, China, Britain and France plus Germany) in Geneva on Sunday.
“What has been released by the website of the White House as a fact sheet is a one-sided interpretation of the agreed text in Geneva and some of the explanations and words in the sheet contradict the text of the Joint Plan of Action (the title of the Iran-powers deal), and this fact sheet has unfortunately been translated and released in the name of the Geneva agreement by certain media, which is not true,” Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham said on Tuesday.
She said that the four-page text under the name of the Joint Plan of Action (which has been released by the Iranian foreign ministry) was the result of the agreement reached during the Geneva talks and all of its sentences and words were chosen based on the considerations of all parties to the talks. In fact one of the reasons why negotiations between Iran and the G5+1 took so long pertained to the accuracy which was needed for choosing the words for the text of the agreement, Afkham said, explaining that the Iranian delegation was much rigid and laid much emphasis on the need for this accuracy.
Afkham said that the text of the Joint Plan of Action was provided to the media a few hours after the two sides agreed on it.
After the White House released a modified version of the deal struck by Iran and the six world powers in Geneva early Sunday morning, the Iranian Foreign Ministry released the text of the agreement.
The full text of the deal is as follows:
Geneva, 24 November 2013
Joint Plan of Action
Preamble
The goal for these negotiations is to reach a mutually-agreed long-term comprehensive solution that would ensure Iran's nuclear programme will be exclusively peaceful. Iran reaffirms that under no circumstances will Iran ever seek or develop any nuclear weapons. This comprehensive solution would build on these initial measures and result in a final step for a period to be agreed upon and the resolution of concerns. This comprehensive solution would enable Iran to fully enjoy its right to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes under the relevant articles of the NPT in conformity with its obligations therein. This comprehensive solution would involve a mutually defined enrichment programme with practical limits and transparency measures to ensure the peaceful nature of the programme. This comprehensive solution would constitute an integrated whole where nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. This comprehensive solution would involve a reciprocal, step-bystep process, and would produce the comprehensive lifting of all UN Security Council sanctions, as well as multilateral and national sanctions related to Iran's nuclear programme.
There would be additional steps in between the initial measures and the final step, including, among other things, addressing the UN Security Council resolutions, with a view toward bringing to a satisfactory conclusion the UN Security Council's consideration of this matter. The E3+3 and Iran will be responsible for conclusion and implementation of mutual near-term measures and the comprehensive solution in good faith. A Joint Commission of E3/EU+3 and Iran will be established to monitor the implementation of the near-term measures and address issues that may arise, with the IAEA responsible for verification of nuclear-related measures. The Joint Commission will work with the IAEA to facilitate resolution of past and present issues of concern.
Elements of a first step The first step would be time-bound, with a duration of 6 months, and renewable by mutual consent, during which all parties will work to maintain a constructive atmosphere for negotiations in good faith. Iran would undertake the following voluntary measures:
• From the existing uranium enriched to 20%, retain half as working stock of 20% oxide for fabrication of fuel for the TRR. Dilute the remaining 20% UF6 to no more than 5%. No reconversion line.
• Iran announces that it will not enrich uranium over 5% for the duration of the 6 months.
• Iran announces that it will not make any further advances of its activities at the Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant1, Fordow2, or the Arak reactor3, designated by the IAEA as IR-40.
• Beginning when the line for conversion of UF6 enriched up to 5% to UO2 is ready, Iran has decided to convert to oxide UF6 newly enriched up to 5% during the 6 month period, as provided in the operational schedule of the conversion plant declared to the IAEA.
• No new locations for the enrichment.
• Iran will continue its safeguarded R&D practices, including its current enrichment R&D practices, which are not designed for accumulation of the enriched uranium.
• No reprocessing or construction of a facility capable of reprocessing.
• Enhanced monitoring:
o Provision of specified information to the IAEA, including information on Iran's plans for nuclear facilities, a description of each building on each nuclear site, a description of the scale of operations for each location engaged in specified nuclear activities, information on uranium mines and mills, and information on source material. This information would be provided within three months of the adoption of these measures.
o Submission of an updated DIQ for the reactor at Arak, designated by the IAEA as the IR-40, to the IAEA.
o Steps to agree with the IAEA on conclusion of the Safeguards Approach for the reactor at Arak, designated by the IAEA as the IR-40.
o Daily IAEA inspector access when inspectors are not present for the purpose of Design Information Verification, Interim Inventory Verification, Physical Inventory Verification, and unannounced inspections, for the purpose of access to offline surveillance records, at Fordow and Natanz.
o IAEA inspector managed access to:
  centrifuge assembly workshops4;
  centrifuge rotor production workshops and storage facilities; and,   uranium mines and mills.
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Footnotes:
1 Namely, during the 6 months, Iran will not feed UF6 into the centrifuges installed but not enriching uranium. Not install additional centrifuges. Iran announces that during the first 6 months, it will replace existing centrifuges with centrifuges of the same type.
2 At Fordow, no further enrichment over 5% at 4 cascades now enriching uranium, and not increase enrichment capacity. Not
feed UF6 into the other 12 cascades, which would remain in a non-operative state. No interconnections between cascades.
Iran announces that during the first 6 months, it will replace existing centrifuges with centrifuges of the same type.
3 Iran announces on concerns related to the construction of the reactor at Arak that for 6 months it will not commission the reactor or transfer fuel or heavy water to the reactor site and will not test additional fuel or produce more fuel for the reactor or install remaining components.
4 Consistent with its plans, Iran's centrifuge production during the 6 months will be dedicated to replace damaged machines.
In return, the E3/EU+3 would undertake the following voluntary measures:
• Pause efforts to further reduce Iran's crude oil sales, enabling Iran's current customers to purchase their current average amounts of crude oil. Enable the repatriation of an agreed amount of revenue held abroad. For such oil sales, suspend the EU and U.S. sanctions on associated insurance and transportation services.
• Suspend U.S. and EU sanctions on:
o Iran's petrochemical exports, as well as sanctions on associated services.5 o Gold and precious metals, as well as sanctions on associated services.
• Suspend U.S. sanctions on Iran's auto industry, as well as sanctions on associated services.
• License the supply and installation in Iran of spare parts for safety of flight for Iranian civil aviation and associated services. License safety related inspections and repairs in Iran as well as associated services.6
• No new nuclear-related UN Security Council sanctions.
• No new EU nuclear-related sanctions.
• The U.S. Administration, acting consistent with the respective roles of the President and the
Congress, will refrain from imposing new nuclear-related sanctions.
• Establish a financial channel to facilitate humanitarian trade for Iran's domestic needs using Iranian oil revenues held abroad. Humanitarian trade would be defined as transactions involving food and agricultural products, medicine, medical devices, and medical expenses incurred abroad. This channel would involve specified foreign banks and non-designated Iranian banks to be defined when establishing the channel.
o This channel could also enable:
  transactions required to pay Iran's UN obligations; and,   direct tuition payments to universities and colleges for Iranian students studying abroad, up to an agreed amount for the six month period.
• Increase the EU authorisation thresholds for transactions for non-sanctioned trade to an agreed amount.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Footnotes
5 "Sanctions on associated services" means any service, such as insurance, transportation, or financial, subject to the underlying U.S. or EU sanctions applicable, insofar as each service is related to the underlying sanction and required to facilitate the desired transactions. These services could involve any non-designated Iranian entities.
6 Sanctions relief could involve any non-designated Iranian airlines as well as Iran Air.
Elements of the final step of a comprehensive solution*
The final step of a comprehensive solution, which the parties aim to conclude negotiating and commence implementing no more than one year after the adoption of this document, would:
• Have a specified long-term duration to be agreed upon.
• Reflect the rights and obligations of parties to the NPT and IAEA Safeguards Agreements.
• Comprehensively lift UN Security Council, multilateral and national nuclear-related sanctions, including steps on access in areas of trade, technology, finance, and energy, on a schedule to be agreed upon.
• Involve a mutually defined enrichment programme with mutually agreed parameters consistent with practical needs, with agreed limits on scope and level of enrichment activities, capacity, where it is carried out, and stocks of enriched uranium, for a period to be agreed upon.
• Fully resolve concerns related to the reactor at Arak, designated by the IAEA as the IR-40.
No reprocessing or construction of a facility capable of reprocessing.
• Fully implement the agreed transparency measures and enhanced monitoring. Ratify and implement the Additional Protocol, consistent with the respective roles of the President and the Majlis (Iranian parliament).
• Include international civil nuclear cooperation, including among others, on acquiring modern light water power and research reactors and associated equipment, and the supply of modern nuclear fuel as well as agreed R&D practices.
Following successful implementation of the final step of the comprehensive solution for its full duration, the Iranian nuclear programme will be treated in the same manner as that of any non-nuclear weapon state party to the NPT.
* With respect to the final step and any steps in between, the standard principle that "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed" applies.
 
 
 

Statement By The President On First Step Agreement On Iran's Nuclear Program

THE PRESIDENT:  Good evening.  Today, the United States -- together with our close allies and partners -- took an important first step toward a comprehensive solution that addresses our concerns with the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear program.  
Since I took office, I’ve made clear my determination to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.  As I’ve said many times, my strong preference is to resolve this issue peacefully, and we’ve extended the hand of diplomacy.  Yet for many years, Iran has been unwilling to meet its obligations to the international community.  So my administration worked with Congress, the United Nations Security Council and countries around the world to impose unprecedented sanctions on the Iranian government.
These sanctions have had a substantial impact on the Iranian economy, and with the election of a new Iranian President earlier this year, an opening for diplomacy emerged.  I spoke personally with President Rouhani of Iran earlier this fall.  Secretary Kerry has met multiple times with Iran’s Foreign Minister.  And we have pursued intensive diplomacy -- bilaterally with the Iranians, and together with our P5-plus-1 partners -- the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, and China, as well as the European Union.
Today, that diplomacy opened up a new path toward a world that is more secure -- a future in which we can verify that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful and that it cannot build a nuclear weapon.
While today’s announcement is just a first step, it achieves a great deal.  For the first time in nearly a decade, we have halted the progress of the Iranian nuclear program, and key parts of the program will be rolled back.  Iran has committed to halting certain levels of enrichment and neutralizing part of its stockpiles.  Iran cannot use its next-generation centrifuges, which are used for enriching uranium.  Iran cannot install or start up new centrifuges, and its production of centrifuges will be limited.  Iran will halt work at its plutonium reactor.  And new inspections will provide extensive access to Iran’s nuclear facilities and allow the international community to verify whether Iran is keeping its commitments.
These are substantial limitations which will help prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon.  Simply put, they cut off Iran’s most likely paths to a bomb.  Meanwhile, this first step will create time and space over the next six months for more negotiations to fully address our comprehensive concerns about the Iranian program.  And because of this agreement, Iran cannot use negotiations as cover to advance its program.
On our side, the United States and our friends and allies have agreed to provide Iran with modest relief, while continuing to apply our toughest sanctions.  We will refrain from imposing new sanctions, and we will allow the Iranian government access to a portion of the revenue that they have been denied through sanctions.  But the broader architecture of sanctions will remain in place and we will continue to enforce them vigorously.  And if Iran does not fully meet its commitments during this six-month phase, we will turn off the relief and ratchet up the pressure.
Over the next six months, we will work to negotiate a comprehensive solution.  We approach these negotiations with a basic understanding:  Iran, like any nation, should be able to access peaceful nuclear energy.  But because of its record of violating its obligations, Iran must accept strict limitations on its nuclear program that make it impossible to develop a nuclear weapon.
In these negotiations, nothing will be agreed to unless everything is agreed to.  The burden is on Iran to prove to the world that its nuclear program will be exclusively for peaceful purposes.
If Iran seizes this opportunity, the Iranian people will benefit from rejoining the international community, and we can begin to chip away at the mistrust between our two nations.  This would provide Iran with a dignified path to forge a new beginning with the wider world based on mutual respect.  If, on the other hand, Iran refuses, it will face growing pressure and isolation.
Over the last few years, Congress has been a key partner in imposing sanctions on the Iranian government, and that bipartisan effort made possible the progress that was achieved today.  Going forward, we will continue to work closely with Congress.  However, now is not the time to move forward on new sanctions -– because doing so would derail this promising first step, alienate us from our allies and risk unraveling the coalition that enabled our sanctions to be enforced in the first place.
That international unity is on display today.  The world is united in support of our determination to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.  Iran must know that security and prosperity will never come through the pursuit of nuclear weapons -- it must be reached through fully verifiable agreements that make Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons impossible.
As we go forward, the resolve of the United States will remain firm, as will our commitments to our friends and allies –- particularly Israel and our Gulf partners, who have good reason to be skeptical about Iran’s intentions.
Ultimately, only diplomacy can bring about a durable solution to the challenge posed by Iran’s nuclear program.  As President and Commander-in-Chief, I will do what is necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.  But I have a profound responsibility to try to resolve our differences peacefully, rather than rush towards conflict.  Today, we have a real opportunity to achieve a comprehensive, peaceful settlement, and I believe we must test it.
The first step that we’ve taken today marks the most significant and tangible progress that we’ve made with Iran since I took office.  And now we must use the months ahead to pursue a lasting and comprehensive settlement that would resolve an issue that has threatened our security -- and the security of our allies -- for decades.  It won’t be easy, and huge challenges remain ahead.  But through strong and principled diplomacy, the United States of America will do our part on behalf of a world of greater peace, security, and cooperation among nations.
Thank you very much.

Fact Sheet: First Step Understandings Regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Nuclear Program

 
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary

Fact Sheet: First Step Understandings Regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Nuclear Program

The P5+1 (the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia, and China, facilitated by the European Union) has been engaged in serious and substantive negotiations with Iran with the goal of reaching a verifiable diplomatic resolution that would prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
President Obama has been clear that achieving a peaceful resolution that prevents Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is in America’s national security interest.  Today, the P5+1 and Iran reached a set of initial understandings that halts the progress of Iran's nuclear program and rolls it back in key respects.  These are the first meaningful limits that Iran has accepted on its nuclear program in close to a decade.  The initial, six month step includes significant limits on Iran's nuclear program and begins to address our most urgent concerns including Iran’s enrichment capabilities; its existing stockpiles of enriched uranium; the number and capabilities of its centrifuges; and its ability to produce weapons-grade plutonium using the Arak reactor.  The concessions Iran has committed to make as part of this first step will also provide us with increased transparency and intrusive monitoring of its nuclear program.  In the past, the concern has been expressed that Iran will use negotiations to buy time to advance their program.  Taken together, these first step measures will help prevent Iran from using the cover of negotiations to continue advancing its nuclear program as we seek to negotiate a long-term, comprehensive solution that addresses all of the international community's concerns.
In return, as part of this initial step, the P5+1 will provide limited, temporary, targeted, and reversible relief to Iran.  This relief is structured so that the overwhelming majority of the sanctions regime, including the key oil, banking, and financial sanctions architecture, remains in place.  The P5+1 will continue to enforce these sanctions vigorously.  If Iran fails to meet its commitments, we will revoke the limited relief and impose additional sanctions on Iran.
The P5+1 and Iran also discussed the general parameters of a comprehensive solution that would constrain Iran's nuclear program over the long term, provide verifiable assurances to the international community that Iran’s nuclear activities will be exclusively peaceful, and ensure that any attempt by Iran to pursue a nuclear weapon would be promptly detected.  The set of understandings also includes an acknowledgment by Iran that it must address all United Nations Security Council resolutions – which Iran has long claimed are illegal – as well as past and present issues with Iran’s nuclear program that have been identified by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).  This would include resolution of questions concerning the possible military dimension of Iran’s nuclear program, including Iran’s activities at Parchin.  As part of a comprehensive solution, Iran must also come into full compliance with its obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and its obligations to the IAEA.  With respect to the comprehensive solution, nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.  Put simply, this first step expires in six months, and does not represent an acceptable end state to the United States or our P5+1 partners.
Halting the Progress of Iran’s Program and Rolling Back Key Elements
Iran has committed to halt enrichment above 5%:
·         Halt all enrichment above 5% and dismantle the technical connections required to enrich above 5%.
Iran has committed to neutralize its stockpile of near-20% uranium:
·         Dilute below 5% or convert to a form not suitable for further enrichment its entire stockpile of near-20% enriched uranium before the end of the initial phase.
Iran has committed to halt progress on its enrichment capacity:
·         Not install additional centrifuges of any type.
·         Not install or use any next-generation centrifuges to enrich uranium.
·         Leave inoperable roughly half of installed centrifuges at Natanz and three-quarters of installed centrifuges at Fordow, so they cannot be used to enrich uranium.
·         Limit its centrifuge production to those needed to replace damaged machines, so Iran cannot use the six months to stockpile centrifuges.
·         Not construct additional enrichment facilities.
Iran has committed to halt progress on the growth of its 3.5% stockpile:
·         Not increase its stockpile of 3.5% low enriched uranium, so that the amount is not greater at the end of the six months than it is at the beginning, and any newly enriched 3.5% enriched uranium is converted into oxide.
Iran has committed to no further advances of its activities at Arak and to halt progress on its plutonium track.  Iran has committed to:
·         Not commission the Arak reactor.
·         Not fuel the Arak reactor.
·         Halt the production of fuel for the Arak reactor.
·         No additional testing of fuel for the Arak reactor.
·         Not install any additional reactor components at Arak.
·         Not transfer fuel and heavy water to the reactor site.
·         Not construct a facility capable of reprocessing.  Without reprocessing, Iran cannot separate plutonium from spent fuel.
Unprecedented transparency and intrusive monitoring of Iran’s nuclear program 
Iran has committed to: 
·         Provide daily access by IAEA inspectors at Natanz and Fordow.  This daily access will permit inspectors to review surveillance camera footage to ensure comprehensive monitoring.  This access will provide even greater transparency into enrichment at these sites and shorten detection time for any non-compliance.
·         Provide IAEA access to centrifuge assembly facilities.
·         Provide IAEA access to centrifuge rotor component production and storage facilities.
·         Provide IAEA access to uranium mines and mills.
·         Provide long-sought design information for the Arak reactor.  This will provide critical insight into the reactor that has not previously been available. 
·         Provide more frequent inspector access to the Arak reactor.
·         Provide certain key data and information called for in the Additional Protocol to Iran’s IAEA Safeguards Agreement and Modified Code 3.1.
Verification Mechanism
The IAEA will be called upon to perform many of these verification steps, consistent with their ongoing inspection role in Iran.  In addition, the P5+1 and Iran have committed to establishing a Joint Commission to work with the IAEA to monitor implementation and address issues that may arise.  The Joint Commission will also work with the IAEA to facilitate resolution of past and present concerns with respect to Iran’s nuclear program, including the possible military dimension of Iran’s nuclear program and Iran’s activities at Parchin.
Limited, Temporary, Reversible Relief
In return for these steps, the P5+1 is to provide limited, temporary, targeted, and reversible relief while maintaining the vast bulk of our sanctions, including the oil, finance, and banking sanctions architecture.  If Iran fails to meet its commitments, we will revoke the relief.  Specifically the P5+1 has committed to:
·         Not impose new nuclear-related sanctions for six months, if Iran abides by its commitments under this deal, to the extent permissible within their political systems. 
·         Suspend certain sanctions on gold and precious metals, Iran’s auto sector, and Iran’s petrochemical exports, potentially providing Iran approximately $1.5 billion in revenue. 
·         License safety-related repairs and inspections inside Iran for certain Iranian airlines.
·         Allow purchases of Iranian oil to remain at their currently significantly reduced levels – levels that are 60% less than two years ago.  $4.2 billion from these sales will be allowed to be transferred in installments if, and as, Iran fulfills its commitments.
·         Allow $400 million in governmental tuition assistance to be transferred from restricted Iranian funds directly to recognized educational institutions in third countries to defray the tuition costs of Iranian students.
Humanitarian Transaction
Facilitate humanitarian transactions that are already allowed by U.S. law.  Humanitarian transactions have been explicitly exempted from sanctions by Congress so this channel will not provide Iran access to any new source of funds.  Humanitarian transactions are those related to Iran’s purchase of food, agricultural commodities, medicine, medical devices; we would also facilitate transactions for medical expenses incurred abroad.  We will establish this channel for the benefit of the Iranian people. 
Putting Limited Relief in Perspective
In total, the approximately $7 billion in relief is a fraction of the costs that Iran will continue to incur during this first phase under the sanctions that will remain in place.  The vast majority of Iran’s approximately $100 billion in foreign exchange holdings are inaccessible or restricted by sanctions. 
In the next six months, Iran’s crude oil sales cannot increase.  Oil sanctions alone will result in approximately $30 billion in lost revenues to Iran – or roughly $5 billion per month – compared to what Iran earned in a six month period in 2011, before these sanctions took effect.  While Iran will be allowed access to $4.2 billion of its oil sales, nearly $15 billion of its revenues during this period will go into restricted overseas accounts.  In summary, we expect the balance of Iran’s money in restricted accounts overseas will actually increase, not decrease, under the terms of this deal. 
Maintaining Economic Pressure on Iran and Preserving Our Sanctions Architecture
During the first phase, we will continue to vigorously enforce our sanctions against Iran, including by taking action against those who seek to evade or circumvent our sanctions. 
·         Sanctions affecting crude oil sales will continue to impose pressure on Iran’s government.  Working with our international partners, we have cut Iran’s oil sales from 2.5 million barrels per day (bpd) in early 2012 to 1 million bpd today, denying Iran the ability to sell almost 1.5 million bpd.  That’s a loss of more than $80 billion since the beginning of 2012 that Iran will never be able to recoup.  Under this first step, the EU crude oil ban will remain in effect and Iran will be held to approximately 1 million bpd in sales, resulting in continuing lost sales worth an additional $4 billion per month, every month, going forward.
·         Sanctions affecting petroleum product exports to Iran, which result in billions of dollars of lost revenue, will remain in effect.
·         The vast majority of Iran’s approximately $100 billion in foreign exchange holdings remain inaccessible or restricted by our sanctions. 
·         Other significant parts of our sanctions regime remain intact, including:
o   Sanctions against the Central Bank of Iran and approximately two dozen other major Iranian banks and financial actors;
o   Secondary sanctions, pursuant to the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act (CISADA) as amended and other laws, on banks that do business with U.S.-designated individuals and entities;
o   Sanctions on those who provide a broad range of other financial services to Iran, such as many types of insurance; and,
o   Restricted access to the U.S. financial system.
·         All sanctions on over 600 individuals and entities targeted for supporting Iran’s nuclear or ballistic missile program remain in effect.
·         Sanctions on several sectors of Iran’s economy, including shipping and shipbuilding, remain in effect.
·         Sanctions on long-term investment in and provision of technical services to Iran’s energy sector remain in effect.
·         Sanctions on Iran’s military program remain in effect.
·         Broad U.S. restrictions on trade with Iran remain in effect, depriving Iran of access to virtually all dealings with the world’s biggest economy
·         All UN Security Council sanctions remain in effect.
·         All of our targeted sanctions related to Iran’s state sponsorship of terrorism, its destabilizing role in the Syrian conflict, and its abysmal human rights record, among other concerns, remain in effect.
A Comprehensive Solution
During the six-month initial phase, the P5+1 will negotiate the contours of a comprehensive solution.  Thus far, the outline of the general parameters of the comprehensive solution envisions concrete steps to give the international community confidence that Iran’s nuclear activities will be exclusively peaceful.  With respect to this comprehensive resolution:  nothing is agreed to with respect to a comprehensive solution until everything is agreed to.  Over the next six months, we will determine whether there is a solution that gives us sufficient confidence that the Iranian program is peaceful.  If Iran cannot address our concerns, we are prepared to increase sanctions and pressure. 
Conclusion 
In sum, this first step achieves a great deal in its own right.  Without this phased agreement, Iran could start spinning thousands of additional centrifuges.  It could install and spin next-generation centrifuges that will reduce its breakout times.  It could fuel and commission the Arak heavy water reactor.  It could grow its stockpile of 20% enriched uranium to beyond the threshold for a bomb's worth of uranium. Iran can do none of these things under the conditions of the first step understanding.
Furthermore, without this phased approach, the international sanctions coalition would begin to fray because Iran would make the case to the world that it was serious about a diplomatic solution and we were not.  We would be unable to bring partners along to do the crucial work of enforcing our sanctions.  With this first step, we stop and begin to roll back Iran's program and give Iran a sharp choice:  fulfill its commitments and negotiate in good faith to a final deal, or the entire international community will respond with even more isolation and pressure.
The American people prefer a peaceful and enduring resolution that prevents Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and strengthens the global non-proliferation regime.  This solution has the potential to achieve that.  Through strong and principled diplomacy, the United States of America will do its part for greater peace, security, and cooperation among nations.

Iran says Obama administration LIED about details of nuke deal, claiming uranium enrichment will actually INCREASE

Iran says Obama administration LIED about details of nuke deal, claiming uranium enrichment will actually INCREASE

  • The White House published its 'fact sheet' on the nuclear agreement a day before the text of the pact was officially released
  • The Obama administration claimed the agreement 'halts the progress of Iran's nuclear program'
  • Iran insists that it hasn't given up its right to enrich uranium
  • The Islamic republic's chief nuclear scientist now says enrichment will actually increase
  • Obama claimed Saturday that Iran 'will halt work at its plutonium reactor'
  • But Iran now says work at that facility 'will continue'
  • 'Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed,' says a National Security Council spokeswoman
By David Martosko, U.s. Political Editor
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When President Obama announced the landmark deal with Iran, he included some points that the Islamic republic says it never agreed to
When President Obama announced the landmark deal with Iran, he included some points that the Islamic republic says it never agreed to
Iranian officials claimed on Tuesday that the Obama administration concocted a fact sheet on a landmark nuclear agreement that doesn't match what they endorsed over the weekend.
Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham said the version of the pact released by the White House 'is a one-sided interpretation of the agreed text in Geneva and some of the explanations and words in the sheet contradict the text of the Joint Plan of Action.'
At issue are several differences between the White House's summary of the accord and the plain text of the agreement between Iran, the U.S. and five other industrialized nations – specifically the administration's claim that Iran has agreed to stop enriching uranium for the next six months.
On Saturday evening the White House said in a statement that Western nations and Iran had 'reached a set of initial understandings that halts the progress of Iran's nuclear program and rolls it back in key respects.'
President Obama delivered an address 17 minutes later, announcing that under the agreement, 'Iran cannot use its next-generation centrifuges, which are used for enriching uranium.'
He also said the Islamic republic 'will halt work at its plutonium reactor.'
On Tuesday Iran released what it says is the actual agreement, and insisted it had made no such commitments.
Awkward: Secretary of State John Kerry shook hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Sunday, and less than a day later the two were squabbling over the terms of the Geneva agreement
Awkward: Secretary of State John Kerry shook hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Sunday, and less than a day later the two were squabbling over the terms of the Geneva agreement

The talks in Switzerland included Iran, Germany and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council: the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom and France
The talks in Switzerland included Iran, Germany and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council: the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom and France

'This agreement that has just been signed mentions that Iran is fully entitled to the right of enrichment and it will never quit its rights in the future,' Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the following day in Geneva.
He said Wednesday that the White House misrepresented the Geneva negotiations. 'They released that fact sheet because they wanted to make their desired changes in it,' he told Iran's parliament in a closed briefing.
 
On Tuesday Abbas Araqchi, Iran's top nuclear negotiator told Trend magazine in Azerbaijan that 'Iran's uranium enrichment right cannot be granted or limited by another countries.'
And Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, insisted on Monday that the Geneva accord won't affect operations at his nation’s major nuclear sites.
'Work at the Arak reactor will continue,' Salehi said. '[Uranium] enrichment to 5 percent will continue. Research and development will continue. All our exploration and extraction activities will continue. There are no activities that won’t continue."
He announced on Tuesday that Iran's enrichment program will actually increase, and added that construction of the heavy-water reactor at Arak – which the U.S. believes is one component of a plutonium production facility – will continue as before.
Iranian Atomic Energy Organization president Ali Akbar Salehi said 'work at the Arak [nuclear] reactor will continue,' meaning Iran is likely committed to producing plutonium for military purposes
Iranian Atomic Energy Organization president Ali Akbar Salehi said 'work at the Arak [nuclear] reactor will continue,' meaning Iran is likely committed to producing plutonium for military purposes

Not impressed: Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the nuclear agreement with Iran as a historic mistake that leaves the production of atomic weapons within Tehran's reach
Not impressed: Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the nuclear agreement with Iran as a historic mistake that leaves the production of atomic weapons within Tehran's reach

Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday that 'there is no right to enrich' uranium in the Geneva agreement. 'We do not recognize a right to enrich.'
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani began distancing himself from the White House almost immediately, saying that 'our [uranium] enrichment activities will continue as before'
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani began distancing himself from the White House almost immediately, saying that 'our [uranium] enrichment activities will continue as before'

But the Obama administration is now suggesting that differences in interpretation are moot since the interim agreement is just one step along a path toward a permanent arrangement that would curb Iran's nuclear program in the long run.
'Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed,' National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden told MailOnline.
Asked to react to Iran's claim that the White House changed key elements of the agreement for public consumption, she said 'I don’t have any particular response to these reports.'
But she acknowledged that 'domestic enrichment' would likely be part of 'a limited, tightly constrained and intensively monitored civilian nuclear program' that the West would negotiate with Iran over the next six months.
In exchange for Iran's now-disputed concessions, the U.S. has agreed to release as much as $7 billion in capital that was previously part of crippling economic sanctions, largely in the form of oil revenue..
The White House's fact sheet – the same one Iran now calls illegitimate – said it would also lift 'certain sanctions on gold and precious metals, Iran’s auto sector, and Iran’s petrochemical exports.'