Does Iran deal make world safer? Your Say
President Obama defended the Iran nuclear deal Wednesday during a news conference. Letter to the editor:
Readers should examine the disputable rhetoric coming from the administration on the Iran nuclear deal. We are told that this is a historic victory, but for whom?
The best case scenario is the deal has provided a short-term possible monitoring of Iran's uranium enrichment. However, less than a decade ago, we had a nuclear inspection deal with North Korea, which obstructed inspectors while it built a nuclear arsenal.
This deal with Iran is likely to follow the North Korean model (deceit and nuclear armament). Iran has negotiated access to billions of dollars and likely has no intention of allowing inspectors unfettered access, or stopping weapons-grade uranium production. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said, "The Iranian nation has been and will be the victor in negotiations." This does not sound like a leader who is changing direction, or ending support for terrorism.
Clearly, the White House is trying to sell this effort as a success, but the best outcome equates to kicking the can down the road. This is most certainly not a good deal.
Stuart Hayma; Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.
Comments from Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:
What happens after Iran gets its money back as the sanctions are eased? Iran is just playing games to get its hands on the $150 billion that was seized and is being held in foreign bank accounts. Once it does, I bet it will kick out all inspectors.
— Vincent Wolf
Perhaps there are weak spots, but that's what negotiation is about: two or more parties discussing one another's interests to reach an agreement.
This deal is far better than no deal. If countries don't come together to monitor certain activities by Iran, then the situation will eventually become chaotic. War might break out, and that would mean more death to our fellow man.
— Chris Reitmeyer
All President Obama has done is remove the military option from the table. Iran will continue its path to nuclear weapons until it has them. Removing the sanctions will only make the path easier.
The world must now prepare itself for an Iran with nuclear weapons, and a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.
— Raymond Kevin Halpern
The fact is that if Iran wants to develop a nuclear weapon, it will do so. No amount of sanctions will prevent it. North Korea already has proved that.
The only action that would deter a nuclear Iran would be an Israeli strike.
This deal puts a hold on the development of a nuclear weapon for at least 10 years. The GOP opposition to it is in step with every other bill or action that the president has taken; it represents pure partisanship. This deal will go through, even over objections of some in Congress, and the world will be safer because of it.
— Fred Clemens
Republicans are against the deal, but what is the alternative? Is war the only alternative?
— Bill Burke