The Iran Nuclear Deal Keeps Getting Worse

Iran is responsible for inspecting its own nuclear weapons sites? As unbelievable as it sounds, this deadly absurdity is apparently reality. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is allowing Iranian nuclear inspectors to be the only ones inside the Parchin nuclear facility to determine whether Iran has truly closed the door on the past military dimensions of its nuclear program so that sanctions are lifted and the long-term nuclear deal can be implemented. That’s worth stating again – the Obama Administration and its allies are trusting the largest state sponsor of terrorism to honestly inspect and report out on their most militaristic nuclear facility. This latest news about the Iranian nuclear agreements would be laughable if it weren’t so true. The Associated Press first reported on this outrageous development as part of a secret side deal reached between the U.N. and Iran:

Iran will be allowed to use its own inspectors to investigate a site it has been accused of using to develop nuclear arms, operating under a secret agreement with the U.N. agency that normally carries out such work, according to a document seen by The Associated Press. . . . The Parchin agreement was worked out between the IAEA and Iran. The United States and the five other world powers were not party to it but were briefed by the IAEA and endorsed it as part of the larger package. . . . The agreement in question diverges from normal procedures by allowing Tehran to employ its own experts and equipment in the search for evidence of activities it has consistently denied — trying to develop nuclear weapons.

While NBC News reported that this arrangement only applies to inspections regarding past military activity, an unnamed U.S. Senator disputed the Obama Administration’s claims that IAEA inspectors would be allowed inside the Parchin facility. This is not a complicated issue. In fact, it’s very simple. The Obama Administration is tacitly taking the Islamic Republic of Iran at its word that it has ceased all military nuclear activity. This is the same Iran that wrongfully imprisons Americans in violation of international human rights law. This is the same Iran that is the largest state sponsor of terrorism around the entire world. This is the same Iran that has repeatedly resisted compliance with the very agency that is now allowing them to inspect their own nuclear sites. It’s naïve at best and suicidal at worst. The IAEA Director has since issued a statement claiming that he is “disturbed by statements suggesting that the IAEA has given responsibility for nuclear inspections to Iran” and that “[s]uch statements misrepresent the way in which [the IAEA] will undertake this important verification work.” He assures the world that the arrangements are “technically sound.” Name one single Iranian action that shows good faith and should lead the world to believe Iran can be trusted – just one. The Iran deal has always been a bad deal made much worse by the fact that our fellow Americans – including American Pastor Saeed Abedini, imprisoned for his Christian faith – have been abandoned in Iran. And now, as these secret side deals have been leaked, the Obama Administration shrugs its shoulders and stands on the sidelines, abdicating leadership and ceding power to the largest state sponsor of terrorism. This is why Congress must reject the deal. Global stability depends on it. The lives of four Americans depend on it. UPDATE: The Associated Press has now released the full text of the draft agreement:

Separate arrangement II agreed by the Islamic State of Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency on 11 July 2015, regarding the Road-map, Paragraph 5 Iran and the Agency agreed on the following sequential arrangement with regard to the Parchin issue: 1. Iran will provide to the Agency photos of the locations, including those identified in paragraph 3 below, which would be mutually agreed between Iran and the Agency, taking into account military concerns. 2. Iran will provide to the Agency videos of the locations, including those identified in paragraph 3 below, which would be mutually agreed between Iran and the Agency, taking into account military concerns. 3. Iran will provide to the Agency 7 environmental samples taken from points inside one building already identified by the Agency and agreed by Iran, and 2 points outside of the Parchin complex which would be agreed between Iran and the Agency. 4. The Agency will ensure the technical authenticity of the activities referred to in paragraphs 1-3 above. Activities will be carried out using Iran’s authenticated equipment, consistent with technical specifications provided by the Agency, and the Agency’s containers and seals. 5. The above mentioned measures would be followed, as a courtesy by Iran, by a public visit of the Director General, as a dignitary guest of the Government of Iran, accompanied by his deputy for safeguards. 6. Iran and the Agency will organize a one-day technical roundtable on issues relevant to Parchin.

It is more clear than ever before that Iran cannot be trusted, but the Obama Administration and its allies continue to capitulate – giving Iran the authority to inspect itself. This article originally appeared at ACLJ.org.