The debate over the Iran nuclear agreement was fierce. Israel was fiercely opposed and this included the right, left and center large parties. In the United States, leading Democrats opposed the deal and not only Republicans. The Senate Majority leader, Chuck Schumer, was opposed. So was Senator Menendez of New Jersey. The opposition was by partisan. Candidate Donald Trump voiced his opposition to the deal and said it was not changed he would pull out. He continued to make the same stand after being elected. Despite the urging of the leaders of France, Germany and Great Britain, President Trump did just what he said he would do. This was done with the great support of Israel and Trump’s new Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo and the new National Security Advisor, John Bolton. The facts are well known, but each side in the debate emphasizes different facts though both agree to the same facts. It is a matter of human judgment that brings the argument. So here they are.
The facts for staying in are: 1. Iran has stopped production of the enrichment of uranium that could be enriched to produce a bomb. 2. Iran has dismantled the centrifuges that could to this enrichment. 3. Iran has allowed for inspection at its main nuclear sites. These facts are said to be sufficient for it to be worth staying in.
The facts for leaving are: 1. Iran lied about its earlier program, and truthfulness about that program was a requirement of the deal, so Iran has never been in compliance with the deal. 2. Iran does not allow military sites to be inspected or only inspected after a long period of preparation (more than 3 weeks). Nuclear research of some kinds may be going on there. 3. Iran is producing ballistic missiles whose primary purpose is to carry and deliver nuclear bombs. 4. Iran has a sunset clause so that after ten years they are free to pursue whatever they want to in regard to nuclear enrichment or bombs. 5. Iran has used the release from sanctions to build their military and to expand their military control and engagement around the Middle East to great destruction and to threaten Israel.
Those for staying in say that as the time for the deal comes to expire that new pressures can be put on Iran for a new deal. In the interim, the world buys time and the big bomb is on hold. Those for getting out say that if we do not have sanctions re-imposed now, Iran will be much stronger in military and economic might and will not have the incentive to stop their progress toward a bomb in the future. The West today is feckless. The desire to appease is so strong. The desire is to avoid present pain and danger at the cost of much greater future pain and danger. This is human nature. It was amazing to see President Trump resist incredible international pressure and pull out of the agreement. The view from Israel is overwhelmingly that he made the right decision. This is my view as well.