Since the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action was concluded a year ago next Thursday, Iran has continued to support terror, tested ballistic missiles, waged cyberwarfare against the U.S., captured American sailors (violating international law in the process), and contributed to war and instability in Syria, Iraq, and even Bahrain. Meanwhile inspectors have less access than before to potential nuclear sites in Iran. Asking whether any good at all has come from this deal with Iran, Elliott Abrams answers:
The deal has postponed Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons, but at the cost of legitimizing [its right to obtain such weapons after the deal expires]. That’s the “benefit”: the supposed ten-year postponement.
That benefit accrues, of course, only if Iran sticks to the deal and actually slows its program and does not “break out.”
What is Iran’s breakout time? We were told last year that it was at least one year. The Institute for Science and International Security says the actual breakout time may be only seven months. Because of the limited information that International Atomic Energy Agency reports [on Iranian nuclear activity] now contain, we know less than we used to. . . .
So there you have it. . . . Under the deal, we do not really know Iran’s breakout time; we have legitimized its nuclear program; we have strengthened the regime with money and a propaganda victory; and we see Iran’s support for aggression and terror rising.
Read more on Jerusalem Post: http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/The-Iran-deal-a-year-after-There-are-no-benefits-459590