Iranian officials continue to bask in the afterglow of the framework deal reached with world powers last week over the Islamic regime’s nuclear program, and joining the victory parade this week was Iranian Revolutionary Guards Commander Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari.
At a conference of Revolutionary Guards officers Jafari spoke about the deal, which temporarily limits Iran’s nuclear program while leaving all its nuclear facilities intact and allowing it to continue enriching uranium in return for sanctions relief.
According to Jafari, one of the most influential figures in Tehran, Iranian firmness made the American attempt to “impose its will” on Iran ineffective.
America sought to change Iran’s policies and in the end the US changed its own policy, crowed Jafari at the conference. He explained that the US had in the past threatened that all options – including the military option – were on the table, but in the end US President Barack Obama said only the diplomatic option could resolve the standoff.
Jafari elaborated that Obama himself said the military option and continued sanctions on Iran will only strengthen the Islamic regime and make it more intransigent.
The statement on changing US policy comes after US representatives last week said the original US position of having Iran dismantle much of its nuclear infrastructure was scrapped in the face of Iranian opposition, and instead the US changed its position to increasing Iran’s nuclear breakout time. The US settled on a year as the time it would be willing for Iran to need to obtain a nuclear weapon – although Obama has admitted that at the end of the deal Iran would have a “zero” breakout time.
The Revolutionary Guards Commander emphasized that the Iranian people stood firm on its red lines, and that the “diplomatic jihad (holy war – ed.)” was difficult due to the American “lack of integrity” and its “not sticking” to obligations it placed on itself.
Jafari also accused the US of misinterpreting the deal, saying Iran’s delegations succeeded in standing firm on their lines including the “right” to enrich uranium, to continue nuclear research and development, and to demand the end of all sanctions against Iran.
Israel has pointed out that of the 17 states with peaceful nuclear programs, none enrich uranium as Iran will be allowed to continue doing at limited rates under the deal.
It also will be able to continue developing advanced centrifuges which will allow for a rapid ability to produce nuclear weapons in the future.
