(Warning for Government Employees and Contractors: Classified Information Below)
In the final moments of negotiations concerning Iran’s nuclear program, the Obama administration allowed for Iran to never have to reveal its past nuclear weapons research and development.
Iran’s past nuclear development was an issue of critical importance to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The UN nuclear body suggested that Iran must come clean about its past work in taking a step towards rejoining the world community.
The Obama administration did not find it necessary to include the regime becoming transparent on its nuclear activities as part of a final deal, according to new reports, but top administration officials went as far as to guarantee that a final deal would include Iran being required to disclose its past work and research concerning nuclear weapons technology.
In February 2014, chief U.S. negotiator Wendy Sherman said that as part of a final deal, Iran must “come clean on its past actions as part of any comprehensive agreement.”
When it comes to the Iranian regime disclosing their past nuclear work to finalize an agreement, Secretary of State John Kerry said in April: “They have to do it. It will be done. If there’s going to be a deal; it will be done.”
But the administration’s position has drastically changed. In a classified memo sent to Congress related to Iran’s past nuclear work, the administration told readers: “An Iranian admission of its past nuclear weapons program is unlikely and is not necessary for purposes of verifying commitments going forward,” according to a copy of the document received by the Wall Street Journal.
The memo continued:
U.S. confidence on this front is based in large part on what we believe we already know about Iran’s past activities. The United States has shared with the IAEA the relevant information, and crafted specific measures that will enable inspectors to establish confidence that previously reported Iranian [weaponization] activities are not ongoing.
In addition to the Obama administration’s fold on Iran’s nuclear weapons program, it was revealed in a Wall Street Journal report on Sunday that the IAEA struck a secret side deal with the Iranian regime, leading some to believe that the UN agency will be unable to appropriately commence tests on Tehran’s nuclear sites, including those that remain in undisclosed locations.
Congress is in the midst of a 60-day period in which to review the Iran nuclear deal, which has already been approved in the UN Security Council. President Obama has said he would veto attempts by Congress to reject the deal. To overturn a presidential veto, both houses of Congress would need to garner a two-thirds majority in rejecting the Iran deal.