60 Minutes recap; the temporary nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers

Segment aired 20 September 2015. The United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany have entered into an agreement with Iran. The deal drastically curtails Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Depending on where you stand politically, it is a triumph of political diplomacy, the best available solution, or a blunder of epic proportions. Over the past few months nearly everyone has weighed in from President Obama, to the congress, to Republican and Democratic candidates, to the Israeli Prime Minister. However, not much has been heard from the Iranians so representatives of 60 Minutes travelled to Iran last week and sat down with President Rouhani. This was the first interview given to a Western news agency in nearly a year.
Interviewer asks, “What do you think of the agreement”? Rouhani replies, “A very difficult agreement to reach, with lots of ups and downs but it’s the right path we have chosen. I am happy that we have taken extremely important steps on this issue and are in the process of taking the final steps”. Interviewer asks, “Were you surprised by the ferocity of the debate in the United States and the outcome”? Rouhani replies, “It was predictable, an issue of this significance cannot be resolved without its opponents. One is surprised by the commentaries and the commentaries are not very pleasant. Some groups and political parties may be against it but the governments of the world, all together, welcomed this deal”. Interviewer says, “Opponents have argued that the U.S. has given away too much for very little in return from Iran. Agreeing to lift the sanctions in Iran in exchange for what they call a temporary 15 year freeze on nuclear operations. After which, Iran would be free to resume work on a nuclear bomb with far more resources than they have now”. Rouhani replies, “If a country wanted, with the technical resources it has, to gain an atomic bomb this deal would have been a very bad deal for it because the deal creates limitations from all sides to getting an atomic bomb. But if a country has been after peaceful technology from the beginning then it has lost nothing. We want this incorrect accusation that Iran is after nuclear weapons corrected, resolved, and that the goal of Iran is peaceful activity. In this deal we have accepted limitations for a period of time in order to create more trust with the world”.
The whole deal requires a leap of faith between two long-time enemies. A picture is shown of a red, white and blue flag on the side of a large building with the caption; “Down with the U.S.A”. The agreement requires that Iran ship 98% of their enriched uranium out of the country and some other restrictions which include that Iran submit to rigorous inspections. Iranian opposition to this agreement has been severe as well. Much commentary took place. Interviewer asks, “Do you believe the United States is the great Satan?” Rouhani replies, “The enmity that existed between the United States and Iran over the decades, the distance, the disagreements, the lack of trust will not go away soon. What is important is which direction we are heading. Are we heading towards amplifying the enmity or decreasing this enmity? I believe we have taken the first steps towards decreasing this enmity”.
Interviewer asks, “Do you believe the United States is the great Satan?” Rouhani replies, “Satan in our religious parlance is used to refer to that power that tricks others and whose words are not clear words, do not match reality. What I can say is that the U.S. has made many mistakes in the past regarding Iran and must make up for those mistakes”.
The interview went on to discuss ISIS and it terrorist agenda. Then the discussion talked about a prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Iran. If this agreement goes into effect the Iranian government will soon begin to collect $100,000,000,000 which was frozen in overseas banks, President Rouhani says, Iran will then be open for business.
Comments
Inspections did not work in Iraq, why would they work in a country as radical as Iran? We are being sold out again. Better relations are needed but one does not give away everything to get it – and then allow Iran to build its nuclear program anyway.