Former top Obama, Bush advisers warn against weak Iran nuclear deal
On Tuesday, Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei staked out a hard line on a final Iran nuclear agreement being negotiated by Tehran, the U.S., and five other nations. On Wednesday, it was America's turn. A group of prominent U.S. security and diplomatic figures delivered an open letter to the White House and State Department warning that the emerging final deal "may fall short of meeting the administration's own standard of a 'good' agreement."
The letter, organized by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy think tank, offers a roster of minimum requirement for a final nuclear deal, many of which appear to contradict Khamenei's red lines. The U.S. negotiators should worry less about the June 30 deadline and focus more on "getting it right," Dennis Ross, Obama's former top Iran adviser and one of the signatories, tells Reuters. "The Iranians must understand that we will catch them if they cheat and that the price will be high even for lesser transgressions.... And, they must know that we will not permit them to have a weapons capability."
Other signatories include former CIA Director David Petraeus; Robert Einhorn, a nuclear proliferation expert and member of Obama's first-term Iran negotiating team; retired Gen. James Cartwright, former Obama vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Gary Samore, Obama's former top nuclear policy adviser. There are also several Republicans from George W. Bush's presidency, most prominently former National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
When asked to comment on the letter, a senior Obama administration official told The New York Times that content-wise, it "in large part tracks with the U.S. negotiating position inside the negotiating room." All the signatories are in favor of a negotiated Iran deal, assuming it meets their criteria.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
'Making a police state out of the liberal university'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
8 looming climate tipping points that imperil our planet
The Explainer New reports detail the thresholds we may be close to crossing
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Try 6 free issues of The Week Junior
Spark your child's curiosity with The Week Junior - the award-winning current affairs magazine for 8-14s.
By The Week Published
-
Israel proposes two-month pause in Gaza war in exchange for all Hamas hostages
Speed Read Deal doesn't include an agreement to end war, but might be 'the only path that could lead to a ceasefire', said US officials
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Nato official warns of all-out war with Russia in next 20 years
Speed Read Civilians must prepare for life-changing conflict and mass mobilisation, says military chief
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak visits Kyiv to announce £2.5 billion in military support for Ukraine
Speed Read Surprise trip comes amid increased Russian bombardment and escalation of Middle East crisis
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Israel preparing to flood Hamas tunnels with seawater
Speed Read IDF pumps could drive out terrorists but critics warn of danger to hostages and Gaza water supply
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacks
speed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages released
Speed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'
Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
By The Week UK Published