By After nearly 35 years of tension between the United States and Iran, we’ve finally reached a turning point. The highly debated Iran Nuclear Deal will be the first step to ending Iran’s isolation from several world leaders and building ties with the U.S. and the rest of the West. But just like everyone else, we were wondering — what the heck is in this deal?
Here are the top 10 things to know:
1. The final verdict — when, what and where:
This agreement was reached through the involvement of some of the globe’s major political players like the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia and China. You never buy a skirt without asking your friends first, right? Well, you also never broker a major deal with Iran without asking your allies. And Putin.
2. What the agreement basically sums up:
Iran will start dismantling its nuclear infrastructure by getting rid of a little more than 90% of its enriched uranium. Enriched uranium isn’t exactly something that can be thrown in the garbage or recycled. To accomplish this task, the uranium will be diluted or shipped out of the country. In fact, Iran will only be allowed 300 kg of low enriched uranium — not enough for the country to stage a “nuclear bomb rush.”
3. What it will also impact:
The core of the heavy-water reactor in Arak will be removed to prevent the production of large amounts of plutonium. Plutonium make the bomb go boom.
4. If there is any movement toward breaching the agreement:
United Nations inspectors will be allowed to inspect any Iranian sites where they believe the deal is not being upheld. If Iran objects to inspection, it will be overruled by the votes of a multinational commission. To make this a little more fair, the inspectors can only come from countries that have diplomatic relations with Iran — meaning America needs to back up.
5. What if Iran decides to stand by its word?
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will verify that Iran has taken steps to shrink its program and U.N., U.S. and European Union sanctions will be lifted. However, lifting the sanctions will take time since Iran must first prove that it’s making moves to shrink the program. Sanctions for arms could be lifted in five years — ballistic missiles in eight.
6. When in doubt:
If there are any allegations of Iran not meeting its obligations, a joint commission will be given 30 days to step in to resolve the dispute. If that effort fails, it will be referred to the U.N. Security Council, which will have to vote to continue sanctions relief. A veto by a permanent member of the UNSC (China, France, the Russian Federation, the U.K. or the U.S.) will mean that the sanctions are reimposed. The whole process can up to take 65 days.
7. What’s in it for Iran?
In return for Iran’s reduction in nuclear activity, the U.S. and its allies will offer roughly seven billion dollars to aid Iran’s crippled economy. For that amount of money, I’d be willing to reduce a lot of activity too.
8. The impact of this agreement:
While the agreement is not seen as favorable, especially among the Republican political party, it is one of the largest and most historical moves toward peace since the end of World War II. It is also the key to reconstructing lost trust between the U.S. and Iran.
9. Just to keep a close eye on Iran:
In addition to the IAEA’s access to Iran’s inner workings regarding nuclear programs, many of Iran’s uranium mills and mines will also be under surveillance to ensure all aspects of the deal are upheld.
10. All hail Obama:
Those who have criticized President Barack Obama and his administration for “getting nothing done” can now add this colossal achievement to the growing list of nothings he’s accomplished. Suck on that, Trump.
Let us know what you think about the Iran deal in the comments section! Is it good enough? Should the United States have been willing to bargain more? If a tree falls in the woods and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? Your thoughts matter.
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Image via Yahoo Financial