Secretary of State Kerry. (Frederic Legrand – COMEO/Shutterstock)
The implementation of the Iran nuclear deal is meant to begin Sunday, but only time will tell if Iran will comply with the agreement and whether the international community will actually hold the Islamic Republic to its word.
The nuclear deal with Iran took effect on Sunday, setting in motion a series of events that will start the implementation of the deal between the world powers and Tehran.
Iran is months away from putting in place the limits on its nuclear program that would trigger relief from economic sanctions, and an international inspection regime is only just beginning, the Hill reports
“We are moving now to the implementation stage, and it is essential that we maintain our vigilance, our unity of approach and our common purpose,” Secretary of State John Kerry said in a speech at Indiana University last week.
“Now, the Middle East remains a deeply troubled place, but every problem in the region would be made much worse if countries were to move towards nuclear weapons.”
Whether the diplomatic effort will succeed is an open question.
Critics note that Iran has shown no willingness to change its belligerent behavior after reaching the deal, even staging a ballistic missile test that the United States admitted was a breach of international sanctions.
Iran will be tested for its compliance with the accord in the coming months, while the US and Europe will begin issuing draft regulations and sanctions waivers that will loom over the Iranian economy. Those waivers won’t go into full effect for months, until the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) declares that Iran has met its initial obligations.
Due to limitations puts by Iran on inspection of its nuclear sites, IAEA inspectors might not certify that the Islamic Republic has met its obligations until next summer, according to analysts cited by the Hill.
By December 15, the IAEA is scheduled to release a report on its review of the possible past military dimensions of Iran’s nuclear program. Iran reportedly supplied all the requested information for that report just this week.
By: United with Israel Staff