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The bizarre public/private dichotomy of the peace talks between Iran and the United States continues unabated.
Both sides have repeatedly claimed the other has committed to something in private diplomacy, only to have that claim publicly refuted.
The latest iteration is over nuclear inspections.
US Vice President JD Vance said the talks with Iranian officials in the Swiss mountain resort of Buergenstock laid a good foundation for a final accord and that Tehran had agreed to allow nuclear inspectors back into the country.
But Iran denied it had begun discussions on its nuclear program at the talks, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, and said it had not agreed to invite back International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors.
IRAN SAYS IT WILL DECIDE ALONE ON ASSETS' USE
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Tuesday Iranian officials had not held a meeting with IAEA chief Rafael Grossi in Switzerland and had no plans for the UN nuclear watchdog to inspect Iran's damaged nuclear facilities.
Important point to remember: IAEA inspections are not optional under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. They are required, and Iran has already agreed to them as a signatory to the NPT.
Each non-nuclear-weapon State Party to the Treaty undertakes to accept safeguards, as set forth in an agreement to be negotiated and concluded with the International Atomic Energy Agency in accordance with the Statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Agency’s safeguards system, for the exclusive purpose of verification of the fulfilment of its obligations assumed under this Treaty with a view to preventing diversion of nuclear energy from peaceful uses to nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. Procedures for the safeguards required by this Article shall be followed with respect to source or special fissionable material whether it is being produced, processed or used in any principal nuclear facility or is outside any such facility. The safeguards required by this Article shall be applied on all source or special fissionable material in all peaceful nuclear activities within the territory of such State, under its jurisdiction, or carried out under its control anywhere.
The IRGC’s refusal to allow IAEA inspections, or to refrain from interfering with inspections when they did occur, has always been the primary catalyst for the many sanctions placed on Iran, Iranian goods, and Iranians themselves.
Will the IRGC bend to inevitability and allow unfettered IAEA inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities?
If yes, then a lasting peace may be possible and Iran may finally be allowed to rejoin the community of civilized nations.
If no, then the IRGC leaves the world few options besides war.
Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon is a geopolitical non-starter. Europe agrees with President Trump on this point. Even Russia and China are unenthusiastic about a nuclear-armed Iran.
Can the IRGC acknowledge reality? Or will they have to be overthrown first.
