Interim Deal Reached With Iran

Well, this has to be chapping the behinds of GOP neo-cons across the country. They have been drooling over the possibility of a new war (this time with Iran) -- and their excuse for war is the Iranian development of nuclear energy (which they claim is just a disguised effort to develop a nuclear bomb). But now, their desire for war will have to be put on hold -- at least for a few months.

That's because Secretary of State Kerry and his counterparts in other Western nations have reached an agreement with the Iranian government. It's not a final agreement, but it will ease tensions and give all the parties a few more months to hammer out that final agreement -- and it shows that Iran did take a step toward moderation in its last election.

The only problem on the horizon is that Congress is currently considering a measure that would put new and even stricter sanctions on Iran. These measures will probably still be pursued by the GOP-controlled House, who will do anything to prevent a success by the Obama administration. But the Senate needs to make sure these don't pass. This agreement should be given every opportunity to work.

Here is the BBC's description of what the agreement requires of each side:

IRAN

Halt enrichment of uranium above 5% purity

"Neutralise" its stockpile of near-20%-enriched uranium, either by diluting it to less than 5% or converting it to a form which cannot be further enriched

Not install any more centrifuges (the machines used to enrich uranium)

Leave half to three-quarters of centrifuges installed in Natanz and Fordo enrichment facilities inoperable

Not build any more enrichment facilities

Not increase its stockpile of 3.5% low-enriched uranium

Halt work on the construction of its heavy-water reactor at Arak, not attempt to produce plutonium there

Provide daily access to Natanz and Fordo sites to IAEA inspectors and access to other facilities, mines and mills

Provide "long-sought" information on the Arak reactor and other data

WESTERN NATIONS

Provide "limited, temporary, targeted, and reversible [sanctions] relief"

Not impose further nuclear-related sanctions if Iran meets its commitments

Suspend certain sanctions on trade in gold and precious metals, Iran's automotive sector, and its petrochemical exports

Licence safety-related repairs and inspections inside Iran for certain Iranian airlines

Transfer $4.2bn to Iran in instalments from sales of its oil