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...we're being told that the only alternative to this bad deal is war. That's just not true. The alternative to this bad deal is a much better deal."
Not at all!
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My friends, what about the argument that there's no alternative to this deal, that Iran's nuclear know-how cannot be erased, that its nuclear program is so advanced that the best we can do is delay the inevitable, which is essentially what the proposed deal seeks to do?
"Well, nuclear know-how without nuclear infrastructure doesn't get you very much. A racecar driver without a car can't drive. A pilot without a plane can't fly. Without thousands of centrifuges, tons of enriched uranium or heavy water facilities, Iran can't make nuclear weapons."
Oh man! You keep referring to Bibi's quotes as if it is a holy book or something.
You are entitled to what you like to believe and thanks god Mr. Obama is not listening to people like you.
However, if you at least agree that I as an Iranian know more than you about how we think and operate, then let me tell you that the strategy that Bib is proposing and you are supporting will certainly lead to another disaster in that area.
Let's say a deal is abandoned, there are two possible outcomes:
1. Iran's infrastructure is bombed. All of your own military experts have confirmed that it will not wipe out 100% of Iran's capacity and it will delay the process of building a bomb for at most a couple of years. So you won't gain anything valuable and you will loose the support of rest of the world. For the sake of the argument, let's assume that there is only 1% possibility that Iran was not after nuclear bomb. The bombardment will prompt any reasonable leader in Iran to seek nuclear weapon for deterrence. Why? look at North Korea for example. Is there any country in the world that would dare bombarding NK's nuclear facilities? No. So that is a lesson for Iran. Iran will go nuclear.
Furthermore, Iran will retaliate by hitting US bases in the area and disrupting the oil flow in the Persian Gulf. Now US need to put its fee on the ground to open up the route and also disarm Iran from it's arsenal of missiles. It requires a far more extensive operation all over Iran. But you have pissed off Putin too, remember? He will make sure you will pay dearly for that. Russia will start supporting Iran just like what he did in Vietnam. So Iran will have all the arms that it needs to fight an attrition war for years.
Everyone involved will suffer. Including Israel. I would be surprised if this scenario doesn't escalate into WWIII.
2. The deal is abandoned, Iran's infrastructure is not bombed but the sanction regime continues.Iran's economy will adjust eventually. Yes it will not flourish but it will not die either. Example? NK again. And Israel should live with the fear of Iranian nuclear bomb for ever.
Now let's say a deal is reached. Iran will accept an intense monitoring of it's nuclear infrastructure. Relation between Iran and USA will start to normalize. They will start to cooperate more in regional affairs just like what they are doing in Iraq. Now you don't need to retain a full fleet in Persian gulf to watch Iran. Less military cost for US and you can attend the rest of the crisis that you have at your plate like Ukraine and Far east. And eventually, a deal may be cut between them that you leave Israel alone and I will leave Syria alone.
Which one sounds better to you?
Which is actually enough to make the case legitimate.
I don't want Iran to take over countries via terrorists or proxies as well.
Another honest comment. You are on fire today!
I have nothing against your stance. Countries, like every other living thing, compete over bigger share of the pie. May the best country win! I will cheer for Iran and you Cheer for Turkey. As long as we both know why we are doing this and don't hide behind Human Right and/or WMD BS.