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The First Strict Implementation Test of the Iran Nuclear Deal

(Wall Street Journal) Michael Singh and Simond de Galbert - The U.S. and its allies refrained from demanding that Iran come clean on its past nuclear efforts for the same reason that they accepted only partial and temporary constraints on Tehran's current nuclear activities: They hoped that defusing tensions on this issue and focusing on the future would build confidence so that a more stable and cooperative relationship prevails between Iran and the West. But Tehran's grudging cooperation with the IAEA and its repeated flouting of the UN ban on missile test launches are ominous signs that even faithful implementation of the deal by all sides may not succeed in building that confidence. By protecting its nuclear secrets, accepting only temporary constraints on fuel-cycle work, and advancing its missile program, Iran is keeping its nuclear options open for the future. In response, the international community must keep in place the tools to challenge Iran should its pursuit of nuclear weapons resume. Rather than closing the investigation of Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons as Iran has demanded, the IAEA board of governors meeting on Dec. 15 should direct that it continue. The nuclear deal provides tools for the IAEA to carry out such an investigation above and beyond those provided by the Non-Proliferation Treaty and its additional protocol. These tools are not as strong as they could be, but they nonetheless should be utilized to their fullest. Continuing to insist on a complete investigation into Iran's nuclear weapons activities is the first test of international determination to strictly implement the nuclear deal. Failing this test would signal to Tehran that the West will allow it to dictate the terms under which the agreement is implemented in the coming years. Michael Singh is managing director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Simond de Galbert, a French diplomat, is a visiting fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
2015-12-15 00:00:00
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