Deal-Day+1, Reviewing the Agreement

Defending the deal - In an exclusive interview with Thomas L. Friedman of The New York Times President Obama laid out his case for the Iran nuclear deal. “We’re not measuring this deal by whether we are solving every problem that can be traced back to Iran, whether we are eliminating all their nefarious activities around the globe. We are measuring this deal... [by that] Iran could not get a nuclear weapon.”

--The President went on to say, “I have a lot of differences with Ronald Reagan, but where I completely admire him was his recognition that if you were able to verify an agreement that [was negotiated] with the evil empire that was hellbent on our destruction and was a far greater existential threat to us than Iran will ever be, then it would be worth doing.” Video of the complete interview here. http://nyti.ms/1Ht8TYh

Peace gets a chance - The final nuclear deal with Iran does “what no amount of political posturing and vague threats of military action had managed to do before,” writes the editorial board of The New York Times. “It puts strong, verifiable limits on Iran’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon for at least the next 10 to 15 years and is potentially one of the most consequential accords in recent diplomatic history, with the ability not just to keep Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon but also to reshape Middle East politics.”

--The deal “would obviously have provided more cause for celebration if Iran had agreed to completely dismantle all of its nuclear facilities. But the chances of that happening were effectively zero.” Now the deal needs to be defended, “and Mr. Obama may have to make good on his vow to veto any resolution of disapproval. It would be irresponsible to squander this chance to rein in Iran’s nuclear program.” Full story here. http://nyti.ms/1O4FZQ1

Deciphering the deal - The Arms Control Association has released a two page Iran Nuclear Policy Brief examines the key provisions and benefits of a comprehensive nuclear deal with Iran. Full brief here. http://bit.ly/1DgTUNa

--See also: “The Iran Nuclear Deal – A Simple Guide” in The New York Times. http://nyti.ms/1OW2rgs

Holy backing - The final nuclear accord with Iran “constitutes an important outcome of the negotiations carried out so far, although continued efforts and commitment on the part of all involved will be necessary in order for it to bear fruit,” said Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, the head of the Holy See Press Office. “It is hoped that those fruits will not be limited to the field of nuclear programme, but may indeed extend further.” http://bit.ly/1HsQvPo

Endorsed by Clinton - Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton “told reporters at a news conference that the deal is a ‘very important moment’ and that the deal is an ‘important step in putting a lid on Iran’s nuclear program. It will need to be enforced vigorously, relentlessly.’ Clinton said that if elected president she would be ‘absolutely devoted to ensuring that the agreement is followed.’” Read full story from Time here. http://bit.ly/1JfV8dC

Tweet - @madeleine: The #IranDeal opens the door to a more peaceful future for us all. Congrats to @POTUS and @JohnKerry on a win for diplomacy.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon lauds Iran deal - “I hope, and indeed believe, that this agreement will lead to greater mutual understanding and cooperation on the many serious security challenges in the Middle East.” http://bit.ly/1JfZGRl

Tweet - @ambassadorrice: This is a very good deal. It cuts off ALL of Iran’s pathways to a nuke and ensures the necessary inspections & transparency. #IranDeal

More world leaders react - The Iran nuclear deal was welcomed by leaders around the world, and support continues to pour in. For a comprehensive overview The New York Times has set up a live feed of reactions to the historic accord. Full list here. http://nyti.ms/1M4dW4A

Major victory for global security - “U.S. negotiators went into the Iran talks with three key objectives: cut off all of Iran’s pathways to a nuclear bomb, set up a monitoring system to catch any Iran cheating, and keep together the global coalition that can snap back sanctions if Iran breaks the deal. After 22 months of hard bargaining they have emerged with that and more. This detailed 100-plus-page agreement dismantles much of Iran’s nuclear program, freezes it, and puts a camera on it,” writes Joseph Cirincione, President of the Ploughshares Fund.

--“This negotiated deal is a major victory, a major step, but it is only one step… Other agreements [must be made], other reductions in nuclear capabilities to ensure that [once the time limits expire], incentives for renewed nuclear activities are [diminished], conflicts that fuel a desire for nuclear weapons are reduced, and… Iran’s regime and its relations with the West and its neighbors have positively evolved.” Read the full article here at Slate. http://slate.me/1Rwh51D

Take it, don’t leave it - “The [P5+1] have delivered a good deal that is a historic win for global security. Congress should support it,” writes Tom Collina, Director of Policy at the Ploughshares Fund. “If Republicans cannot go that far, [they should] not vote… It’s time for Congress to rise above partisan politics and act in the best interests of the U.S. and the world. We have an opportunity to verifiably and peacefully prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb. Let’s take it.” Read more in Defense One here. http://bit.ly/1V2Uqcw

Damned if you don’t - “This is a good deal. It is even better compared to the alternatives. This is why the majority of nuclear policy experts and national security leaders support this deal,” writes Joe Cirincione, President of the Ploughshares Fund. “Most of the opponents of this deal are driven by politics, not policy… We are on the verge of making history. If Congress makes the right choice, we just might succeed.” Read more at Daily News here. http://nydn.us/1SmZhRL

Former Iranian prisoner speaks - “America and Iran have signed a nuclear agreement, good news for international security,” writes Joshua Fattal for The Washington Post. “Naysayers will argue that U.S. officials should be careful about trusting Iran. But really, that’s all the more reason to sign the agreement. I’d know. In July 2009, I was arrested while hiking near the border between Iraq and Iran. I spent the next two years negotiating with Iranian officials about the details of my detention”

--“Paradoxically, my distrust of the Iranian government is why I think a nuclear deal is the best avenue for the United States government. A nuclear deal would ensure international monitoring of Iranian centrifuges. Without a deal, we are left with the Iranian government acquiring and enriching nuclear material at will. Without a deal, the American government’s options to regulate Iran’s nuclear program are unattractive: war or sanctions.” Read the full piece here. http://wapo.st/1DgTbvt

Whip count - “Congress has 60 days to review the nuclear deal President Obama just signed with Iran. Lawmakers will vote on a yes-or-no resolution that could give the deal the go-ahead – or halt it at least temporarily.”

--“Will Congress get the two-thirds it needs? At least in the Senate, we can glean something of an idea of where things stand,” writes Amber Phillips of the Washington Post. “So we’ve begun monitoring all the senators’ comments on the issue and classifying them accordingly.” Full story here. http://wapo.st/1CDGWOO

--See also: “Iran Deal Leaves U.S. Republicans Short of Votes to Stop Obama,” by Billy House for Bloomberg News. http://bloom.bg/1CBvR0G

Moment of truth - Congress voted to rid Saddam Hussein of weapons of mass destruction that did not exist. Will it now act to block an agreement that verifiably limits Iran’s all-too-real nuclear capabilities for a decade or more? Nothing would diminish U.S. global leadership, destabilize the Middle East, further exhaust American military forces and weaken the U.S. Treasury more than this one-two punch,” writes Michael Krepon for the LA Times.

--“This agreement reflects compromises that can be labeled as defects. They pale in comparison to the defects of a strategy to undo it. The need of the hour is to avoid a partisan divide and instead to work up a bipartisan strategy to support friends in the region.” Full story here. http://lat.ms/1CGITcV

Quick hits:

--“German FM criticizes Israel's opposition to Iran nuclear deal,” by Caroline Copley for Haaretz. http://bit.ly/1Maml7L

--“Iranians dance in streets, thank Rouhani for nuclear deal,” by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin Nouri and Babak Dehghanpisheh for Reuters. http://reut.rs/1GlZeyM

Events:

--“The P5+1 and Iran Nuclear Deal: Outcome, Implementation and Verification,” featuring Kelsey Davenport, Ilan Goldenberg, Richard Nephew and Daryl G. Kimball. Thursday, July 16 from 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM. Located at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Root Room, 1779 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC. RSVP here. http://bit.ly/1Mpzney

--“Iran and the Future of the Regional Security and Economic Landscape,” featuring Dr. Colin H. Kahl, Dr. Suzanne Maloney, David Makovsky, Melissa Dalton, Ilan Goldenberg, Elizabeth Rosenberg, Colin McGinnis, Sean Thornton, Caroline Hurndall and Zachary Goldman. Tuesday, July 21 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Located at NYU Washington, DC, Abramson Family Auditorium (B-1 Level), 1307 L St., NW, Washington, DC. RSVP here. http://bit.ly/1Hqobea

--“Negotiating the Gulf: How a Nuclear Agreement Would Redefine GCC-Iran Relations,” featuring Suzanne DiMaggio, Jamal Khashoggi, Nadim Shehadi, Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, and Hussein Ibish. Tuesday, July 21 from 12:00 - 2:00 PM. Located at The Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, 1050 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC. RSVP here. http://bit.ly/1Mpvzdc

--“Iran and the U.S.: After the Nuclear Negotiations” featuring Amb. Thomas Pickering, Karim Sadjadpour and Amb. Frank Wisner. July 22nd at 6:00pm at Asia Society in New York. http://bit.ly/1M2rn5e

Dessert:

A party in pictures - After yesterday’s announcement that a historic deal over Iran’s nuclear program had been reached, thousands of Iranians took to the streets to celebrate. The good people over at BuzzFeed have compiled 24 photos and videos that captured the historic festivities. http://bzfd.it/1L9JZRu