{"id":6529,"date":"2019-05-09T17:31:23","date_gmt":"2019-05-09T14:31:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/?p=6529"},"modified":"2019-05-09T17:31:23","modified_gmt":"2019-05-09T14:31:23","slug":"the-us-deploys-an-aircraft-carrier-to-the-middle-east-iran-reduces-its-obligations-in-the-jcpoa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/monitoring-and-translation\/iran-in-a-week\/the-us-deploys-an-aircraft-carrier-to-the-middle-east-iran-reduces-its-obligations-in-the-jcpoa\/","title":{"rendered":"The US Deploys an Aircraft Carrier to the Middle East; Iran Reduces its Obligations in the JCPOA"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

A cautious approach to the JCPOA and the US measures<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe editorial of Setareh Sobh explains why Iran shouldn\u2019t violate its obligations within the JCPOA as it might end up resulting in sanctions being imposed on Iran by the United Nations and Europe.
\nThe United States unilaterally pulled out of the JCPOA last year and its sanctions against Iran returned. In the past couple of months, the US administration has intensified its measures against Iran including designating the IRGC as a terrorist group and not renewing waivers for buyers of Iran\u2019s oil.
\nSuch measures resulted in Iran taking counter-measures against America by decreasing some of its obligations within the JCPOA. This can have consequences for the country. If one of the parties to the JCPOA has violated its obligations, Iran can take the issue to the JCPOA commission and later to the UN Security Council. Otherwise, Iran will be perceived as a violator of the JCPOA, which will have consequences for the country.
\nIt is possible that the Americans will take Iran\u2019s measures to the UN Security Council, asking for a return to the previous situation of multilateral sanctions. This might create problems for Iran. It is not stipulated in the JCPOA that Iran can reduce its obligations. Moreover, it must be remembered that America is the only country that has violated its obligations in the JCPOA currently, while other parties to the nuclear deal are still committed to it.
\nIran might go to the UN Security Council, but this won\u2019t be useful as the US has the right to veto. The JCPOA was drafted in a way that it is not possible to put pressure on the Americans. Meanwhile, the pressures on Iran might return.
\nIf Iran violates its obligations within the JCPOA, the United States might be able to create a global consensus that will result in sanctions against Iran from the United Nations and Europe.
\n Setareh Sobh \u2013 May 8<\/a><\/p>\n

Iran must return to the negotiation table<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe editorial of Jahan Sanat explains why it is important for Iran to go back to the negotiation table with the US, given the economic and political power of this country.
\nEven though assessing the impact of the new US sanctions on Iran\u2019s economy isn\u2019t that easy, what is for sure is that US political and economic power can easily increase the pressure on Iran by more sanctions.
\nUS capability as a global power makes it possible for the US administration to impose more extensive sanctions. The sanctions can go as far as limiting the export of petrochemical products, imposing restrictions on the travel of diplomats, and pressuring other countries to cut political relations with Iran.
\nUnder such conditions, retaliatory policies against the US administration will not only increase the cost of talks in the later stages, but it can also increase economic pressures on society. One of the important reasons to return to the negotiation table is to decrease the cost of possible negotiations in the future.
\nWhat is more, negotiations are not a sign of approval of relations with the United States; they can indicate an improvement of Iran\u2019s relations with other countries on an international level. As such, the decision to negotiate means presenting common interests from which both sides can benefit.
\nUnder such conditions, Iranian officials and policymakers must stop amplifying the differences, and instead focus on Iran\u2019s common interests with other countries, including the United States. The US efforts to increase the extension of sanctions, along with the people losing trust in the government\u2019s policies, point to increasing pressure both domestically and internationally.
\nSince the US administration can use its political and economic power to increase the pressure on Iran\u2019s economy, negotiations with the United States can be a more viable option than relying on false signals from the European Union and the US Democrats.
\n Jahan Sanat \u2013 May 7<\/a><\/p>\n

Natural disasters and ignorance<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe editorial of Tejarat Online focuses on the necessity of public education with respect to natural disasters and how to deal with them.
\nNatural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, landslides, and droughts directly impact the lives of human beings. People do not have a direct role in natural disasters, yet what changes these disasters into big crises is a lack of knowledge and ignorance about how to confront them, as well as how to avoid destructive environmental activities that prepare the ground for such disasters and subsequent crises.
\nThe recent floods in Iran demonstrated very well that if we had known how to deal with the crisis and what to do, the damages would have been minimal.
\nTo solve this issue and given the fact that this won\u2019t be the last natural disaster in Iran, we should raise awareness about how to confront such disasters by planning and drafting educational programs for children and teenagers, focusing on preparedness, relief and rescue, as well as practical training about how to stay safe in case of such disasters.
\nIt is also necessary for the media \u2013 particularly the IRIB \u2013 to provide public education in this regard constantly so that people know that environmental damages will undoubtedly harm us eventually. If environmental damage continues, we will cause irreparable damage to our dear ones and to ourselves.
\nAs such, countries like Japan that are constantly hit by such disasters have gained brilliant experience in their educational centers that can be used in course books so that children learn how to react in the event of such disasters.
\n Tejarat online \u2013 May 6<\/a><\/p>\n

Who makes the decisions? Politicians or the military?<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe editorial of Mardomsalari newspaper asks: Under the critical conditions in Iran when there is the talk of imminent war with the United States, who is in charge of making the decisions \u2013 politicians or the military?
\nIn the current situation in Iran, no one seems to be in charge of making decisions, resulting in society being pushed towards an economic crisis. What is evident to the Iranian people and to society more than anything else is the deteriorating economic condition. Inflation, high prices, and a plummet in the value of Iran\u2019s national currency have hugely affected the lives of ordinary Iranians during the last year.
\nSome think this is an economic war with America that started after it pulled out of the nuclear deal. In addition to that, there has been a political, diplomatic, and media war between the Islamic Republic and America. It can even be said that in Syria and Yemen, there has been a proxy war between Iran, America, and its allies Saudi Arabia and Israel.
\nCurrently, there is the talk of a possible military war between Iran and America and its allies after the month of Ramadan. The main question is the following: is war inevitable and are there no other solutions available to resolve the crisis? Who will decide about it: politicians or the military?
\nThe recent floods in different provinces proved that the military is more powerful and influential than the politicians.
\nWar with American is the worst option. The solution to the issues between the Islamic Republic and America is not war, for usually in such wars, America is generally damaged very little, and the other country is the main loser. In the case of war with Iran, its infrastructures will be destroyed, and it is possible for there to be irreparable damages.
\nAs there is no consensus with regard to the policies and decisions of the Islamic Republic, it is better to focus on less costly options \u2013 and this is the task of the politicians.
\n Mardomsalari \u2013 May 5<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"
\n Iran reduces its obligations in the JCPOA; the US to increase sanctions<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nThe Iranian President Hassan Rouhani officially announced suspending some of Iran\u2019s obligations in the nuclear deal (JCPOA). Rouhani asserted that Iran will stop observing limits to its heavy water and to its uranium enrichment process for a period of 60 days, adding that if the other five countries that are parties to the JCPOA come to the negotiation table and Iran\u2019s interests are provided, the obligations will be fulfilled as before.
\nAt the same time, Hassan Rouhani threatened to take more steps if Europe doesn\u2019t help Iran to benefit from the deal.
\nEarlier, the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif argued that the new measures wouldn\u2019t mean exiting the JCPOA; they only mean that Iran will not do some of its voluntary activities.
\nThe US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reacted to the announcement, arguing that Iran has been \u201cintentionally vague\u201d about reducing its obligations in the JCPOA. He added that the US will wait and see what steps Iran will take in practice.
\nLater Pompeo and his British counterpart Jeremy Hunt held a joint press conference, warning against the consequences of Tehran\u2019s decision to resume suspended parts of its nuclear programs. Hunt called Tehran\u2019s measures with regard to reducing some parts of its obligations in the JCPOA very concerning; adding that the United States and Britain have close cooperation to defuse Iran\u2019s destabilizing efforts in the region.
\nAfter Iran\u2019s announcement, the White House announced that the US will soon impose more sanctions against Iran. Tim Morrison, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Weapons of Mass Destruction and Biodefense, said in a conference that more sanctions against Iran are to be expected \u201cvery soon\u201d.
\nFrance had previously reacted to the consequences of Iran\u2019s possible exit from the JCPOA. A French official had said that if Tehran takes measures that violate the nuclear deal, the Europeans have to resume sanctions against Iran.
\nThe French Defense Minister, while acknowledging the weakening of the nuclear deal with Iran in recent months, said that \u201cnow there is nothing worse than Iran pulling out of the deal\u201d.
\nHeiko Maas, the German Foreign Ministry\u2019s Spokesperson, said with regard to Iran\u2019s announcement that his country doesn\u2019t approve of Tehran\u2019s decision in this regard. He urged that while Germany seeks to preserve the JCPOA, it is concerned about Iran\u2019s interference in Syria and Yemen, as well as Iran\u2019s missile program.
\n Radio Farda<\/a><\/p>\n

The US sent an aircraft carrier and bombers to warn Iran<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nThe US National Security Advisor John Bolton said that America will increase its military and offensive capability in the Middle East to send a clear message to Tehran. According to Bolton, the United States is not seeking war with Iran, but any Iranian military measures will be countered by \u201cunrelenting force\u201d.
\nThe Spokesperson for Iran\u2019s Supreme National Security Council Keyvan Khosravi has called Bolton\u2019s statement \u201cclumsy\u201d and that it serves Washington\u2019s \u201cpsychological warfare\u201d.
\nThe United States has deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Middle East to warn Iran in the aftermath of threats by Iranian forces.
\nThe US acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, in a tweet, wrote deploying an aircraft carrier to the Gulf is following a \u201ccredible threat\u201d by Iran\u2019s military forces, calling on Tehran to cease provocative measures. He added, \u201cwe will hold the Iranian regime accountable for any attack on US forces or our interests.\u201d
\nThe CNN said in an exclusive report from the Pentagon that intelligence showed that Iran was probably moving short-range ballistic missiles aboard boats in the Gulf and this was one of the reasons the US decided to move an aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers into the region, according to several US officials with direct knowledge of the situation.
\nEarlier the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated: \u201cwe were witnessing provocations by Iran, and at the same time, we hold Iranians responsible for any attacks against the US interests.\u201d
\nPompeo added that the US measures aim at ceasing Iran\u2019s activities such as backing terrorist organizations that launch rockets at Israel or the building of missile systems in Yemen to help the Houthi rebels.
\nUS officials have pointed to serious and credible threats with unprecedented details, which include Iran\u2019s plans for a possible attack by its proxies against US targets in the Strait of Bab el Mandeb, as well as Iranian drone attacks against US targets in the Gulf.
\nAccording to the Wall Street Journal, US officials have also received intelligence as to Iran\u2019s possible attack against US forces in Kuwait.
\n Radio Farda<\/a><\/p>\n

The worst economic recession in Iran<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nOne year after the US administration pulled out of the nuclear deal with Iran, the country\u2019s economy has more than ever deteriorated. According to experts, Iran\u2019s economic condition will decline more and more.
\nAccording to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Iran\u2019s GDP will decrease by 6% this year. It also predicts that the current economic crisis in Iran will be worse than the economic recession in 2012-2013, which was due to the international sanctions against Tehran\u2019s nuclear and missile programs.
\nPrices hikes can be seen in foods products more than any other item. The price of food already show a 70% rise and there will be another 20% increase by the mid-summer. Some items — particularly red meat — have become scarce. According to the hardliner Fars News Agency, the price of sugar has had a 300% increase during the past three months. It adds that after the price of Forex, gold, gold coins, housing, automobiles, paper, protein products, fruits, and clothing skyrocketed, now other food items are also experiencing a price hike.
\nOn the eve of the month of Ramadan, Iranian officials promised to tackle price hikes in essential food items, emphasizing that people shouldn\u2019t worry about food scarcity. Despite such remarks, the prices of certain food items have increased again, and spaghetti and canned tuna have become scarce. Recently the price of different spaghetti and canned tuna had a 60 to 70 percent increase.
\nLast year, on May 8, 2018, US President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled out of the nuclear deal with Iran and resumed previous sanctions against the Islamic Republic. On May 21, 2018, the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced 12 conditions for ending the sanctions. The US administration particularly called on Iran to halt its nuclear program and its production of ballistic missiles, as well as to end its destabilizing measures in the Middle East. Pompeo had warned that the Islamic Republic would otherwise face the most severe penalties in history.
\nOn April 8, the US President Trump designated the IRGC as a terrorist group, thus subjecting any economic activities with IRGC-affiliated companies to severe penalties.
\nRFI<\/a>
\n Radio Zamaneh<\/a><\/p>\n

The Iranian President\u2019s brother sentenced to imprisonment for corruption<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nPresident Hassan Rouhani\u2019s brother, Hossein Fereydoun, has been sentenced to jail on the charge of financial corruption. Hamid Reza Hosseini, a judicial authority, announced the jail sentence for Rouhani\u2019s brother, adding that since the sentence was not finalized, he would not reveal any details about it.
\nThis judicial authority added Hossein Fereydoun had been \u201cacquitted of some charges and sentenced to jail for another part of his charges.\u201d
\nHossein Fereydoun was arrested and imprisoned in 2017, and released on a 50-billion-toman bail later. He was one of Rouhani\u2019s closest advisors, known as the President\u2019s \u201ceyes and ears\u201d during the negotiations over Iran\u2019s nuclear program.
\n Tabnak<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A cautious approach to the JCPOA and the US measures The editorial of Setareh Sobh explains why Iran shouldn\u2019t violate its obligations within the JCPOA as it might end up resulting in sanctions being imposed on Iran by the United Nations and Europe. The United States unilaterally pulled out of the JCPOA last year and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":6281,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[149,3076,1637,3079,430,722,3077,3078,3080,237],"class_list":["post-6529","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-iran-in-a-week","tag-aircraft","tag-deploys","tag-iran-in-a-week","tag-iran-reduces","tag-jcpoa","tag-middle-east","tag-obligations","tag-reduces","tag-the-us-deploys-an-aircraft-carrier-to-the-middle-east-iran-reduces-its-obligations-in-the-jcpoa","tag-us"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6529","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6529"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6529\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6534,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6529\/revisions\/6534"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6281"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6529"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6529"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6529"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}