U.S. – Iran: The Nuclear Deal

By: Faisal Quyyumi, contributing intern (@_faisalquyyumi) 

Twelve years of negotiations have led us too an extremely vital moment in American history, which could put an end to one of the most serious crises. Iran has reportedly agreed to a long-term deal about its nuclear weapons with six other countries. The other countries that have agreed to also limit their nuclear activities include France, Russia, China, Germany, and the UK. Iran must maintain a total of 300kg of enriched uranium for the next 15 years and decrease their number of centrifuges by two-thirds. Also, a deal with the nation will help eliminate all belief of a nuclear-armed Iran.

Despite Iran claiming that it is not in their interest to create a nuclear weapon, others believe otherwise. The highly infamous Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu said that the agreement “would allow Iran to continue to pursue its aggression and terror in the region.” It is no secret that Netanyahu believes that Iran has not only been a major threat to Israel but too the entire Middle East. In response to all the doubters, Secretary of State John Kerry said that, “The fact is that the real fear of that region (Middle East) should be that you don’t have the deal. If Congress doesn’t pass this, if Congress were to kill this, then we have no inspections, we have no sanctions, we have no ability to negotiate.”

The official agreement was submitted to Congress on July 19th, and by July 20th the voting on either approval or disapproving the deal will begin. Although Republicans control both houses of Congress, President Barack Obama would still have the opportunity to gain enough support by gaining a two-thirds majority after a veto has been put into place.