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A Confused World Reacts To The Iran Nuclear Deal

Tyler Durden's picture




 

The following statement was made by British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, on September 30, 1938 in front of #10 Downing Street, London, after his arrival home from the notorious Munich Conference of 1938.

We, the German Fuhrer and Chancellor, and the British Prime Minister, have had a further meeting today and are agreed in recognizing that the question of Anglo-German relations is of the first importance for our two countries and for Europe.

 

We regard the agreement signed last night and the Anglo-German Naval Agreement as symbolic of the desire of our two peoples never to go to war with one another again.

 

We are resolved that the method of consultation shall be the method adopted to deal with any other questions that may concern our two countries, and we are determined to continue our efforts to remove possible sources of difference, and thus to contribute to assure the peace of Europe.

 

My good friends, for the second time in our history, a British Prime Minister has returned from Germany bringing peace with honor. I believe it is "peace for our time." Go home and get a nice quiet sleep

75 years later, last night appeasement came to Iran:

(L to R) British foreign secretary, German foreign minister, EU foreign policy chief, Iran’s foreign minister, Chinese foreign minister, US secretary of state and Russian and French foreign ministers in Geneva on November 24, 2013.

It remains to be seen if appeasing Iran will lead to yet another anschluss or worse, but for now one thing is certain: nobody really knows what to make of last night's historic nuclear "deal" with Iran. Because when even the two main participants are unable to agree on what was decided...

... how is everyone else expected to fare any better?

In any case, here is a sampling of the immediate reactions, most of which were as expected. First, Israel:

  • Israel Foreign Minister Lieberman: Iran's greatest diplomatic victory since the Islamic revolution

Which is a good thing right? Wrong:

"What was concluded in Geneva last night is not a historic agreement, it's a historic mistake," Netanyahu said. "It's not made the world a safer place. Like the agreement with North Korea in 2005, this agreement has made the world a much more dangerous place."

Not surprisingly, Israel hates any deal that diffuses tension in the region and lowers the probability of war. Iran, on the other hand was giddy:

Hassan Rouhani hails nuclear deal as turning point for Iran

 

A smiling Hassan Rouhani stepped on to the spiral staircase of the presidential palace to announce to an anxious nation the first nuclear deal reached with world powers in a decade – a major achievement which capped his first 100 days in office.

Departing from the austere conference hall press events of his predecessors, and opting instead for a White House Rose Garden-style appearance, he declared that the Islamic Republic had won global powers’ recognition of Iran’s right to enrich uranium.

 

Billing it as a turning point for Iran – both internationally and at home – the centrist president elected on the hope of ending Iran’s isolation and fixing a collapsing economy made the most of the little sanctions relief offered by the Geneva agreement. Putting his own spin on the deal – and along the way directly contradicting American officials’ assertions – Mr Rouhani said the sanctions regime “had been broken” by the agreement, “whether others like it or not”. With the passage of time, he predicted, the cracks “will widen.”

 

In another sign of his media savvy as president, Mr Rouhani produced relatives and children of four scientists killed since 2010, part of a covert war against the nuclear programme. Each family was presented with a roll of honour.

 

Mr Rouhani reserved some of his final words for the supreme leader, declaring his appreciation for the Ayatollah’s guidance and stressing that negotiators had worked within these guidelines.

A delighted Rouhani promptly took to twitter:

Also not surprising is that unlike last time when the deal was scuttled in the last minute due to a block by France, this time Obama made a few phone calls to his socialist peer:

  • French President Francois Hollande “welcomes the conclusion of the Geneva negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program” in e-mailed statement by his office today.
    "The accord that was reached respects the demands imposed by France on the issues of uranium storage and enrichment, suspension of new facilities, and international control"
  • Agreement “constitutes a step toward the ending of Iran’s nuclear military program, and therefore toward the normalization of our relations with Iran”
  • "France will continue to work to reach a final agreement on this issue. The intermediate accord reached last night represents an  important step in the right direction”: Hollande

The other negotiating parties hailed the deal. From Iran's PressTV:

China, Germany and Russia have hailed the deal between Iran and the Sextet over Tehran’s nuclear energy program.

 

After more than four days of intense negotiations, Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany sealed an interim deal in Geneva on Sunday morning to pave the way for the full resolution of the West’s decade-old dispute with Iran over its nuclear energy program.

 

According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the deal allows Iran to continue its activities at Arak, Fordow and Natanz facilities. The agreement also stipulates that no additional sanctions will be imposed on Tehran because of its nuclear energy program.

 

China on Sunday welcomed the deal, saying the agreement with Tehran would "help safeguard peace and stability in the Middle East".

 

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle also hailed the agreement and said the nuclear deal marks “a turning point.”

 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also praised the deal and stressed it would benefit all sides. "Nobody lost, everyone ends up winning," he said.

Kerry's own spin may not have actually mentioned "peace in our time" just yet, but it was vigorous regardless:

  • “We believe very strongly that because the Iranian nuclear program is actually set backwards and is actually locked into place in critical places, that that is better for Israel than if you were just continuing to go down the road and they rush towards a nuclear weapon”
  • “The basic architecture of the sanctions is staying in place. There is very little relief. We are convinced over the next few months, we will really be able to put to the test what Iran's intentions are,” Kerry told CNN chief political correspondent Candy Crowley.
  • “When you're dealing with nuclear weapons, it's not an issue of trust,” Kerry said. “Verification is the key.”

And the punchline:

  • Kerry: If Iran's nuclear program is really only for peaceful purposes, then "prove it"

Just how does one prove they are not doing something they are not doing? Anyway, all of this is merely more theatrics. As the AP reports, the deal was prepared secretly months in advance following secret talks between the US and Iran:

The United States and Iran secretly engaged in a series of high-level, face-to-face talks over the past year, in a high-stakes diplomatic gamble by the Obama administration that paved the way for the historic deal sealed early Sunday in Geneva aimed at slowing Tehran's nuclear program, The Associated Press has learned.

 

The discussions were kept hidden even from America's closest friends, including its negotiating partners and Israel, until two months ago, and that may explain how the nuclear accord appeared to come together so quickly after years of stalemate and fierce hostility between Iran and the West.

 

But the secrecy of the talks may also explain some of the tensions between the U.S. and France, which earlier this month balked at a proposed deal, and with Israel, which is furious about the agreement and has angrily denounced the diplomatic outreach to Tehran.

 

The talks were held in the Middle Eastern nation of Oman and elsewhere with only a tight circle of people in the know, the AP learned. Since March, Deputy Secretary of State William Burns and Jake Sullivan, Vice President Joe Biden's top foreign policy adviser, have met at least five times with Iranian officials.

 

The last four clandestine meetings, held since Iran's reform-minded President Hassan Rouhani was inaugurated in August, produced much of the agreement later formally hammered out in negotiations in Geneva among the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, Germany and Iran, said three senior administration officials. All spoke only on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss by name the highly sensitive diplomatic effort.

 

The AP was tipped to the first U.S.-Iranian meeting in March shortly after it occurred, but the White House and State Department disputed elements of the account and the AP could not confirm the meeting. The AP learned of further indications of secret diplomacy in the fall and pressed the White House and other officials further. As the Geneva talks appeared to be reaching their conclusion, senior administration officials confirmed to the AP the details of the extensive outreach.

Politics aside, Bloomberg reports on the actual elements of the deal:

Iran will get as much as $7 billion in relief from economic sanctions over six months under the first-step agreement reached today in Geneva, the Obama administration said.

 

In return for Iran limiting its nuclear program, the interim agreement provides for the release of $4.2 billion in frozen oil assets and will let Iran continue exporting oil at current levels, rather than forcing continued reductions by buyers, as would be required under current law, according to a White House statement.

 

The accord also will “suspend certain sanctions on gold and precious metals, Iran’s auto sector and Iran’s petrochemical exports, potentially providing Iran approximately $1.5 billion in revenue,” the administration said.

 

Israeli officials and some U.S. lawmakers have said sanctions should be tightened, not eased, to keep pressure on Iran. Rejecting those pleas, the U.S. and the five other countries negotiating with Iran have agreed to “not impose new nuclear-related sanctions for six months if Iran abides by its commitments under this deal, to the extent permissible within their political systems,” according to the White House statement.

 

The no-new-sanctions pledge will be tested when the U.S. Senate returns for legislative business on Dec. 9 after a Thanksgiving break. A group of 14 senators from both parties issued a statement last week pledging to “pass bipartisan Iran sanctions legislation as soon as possible.”

 

Critics of an interim accord in Congress and in Israel have predicted Iran would reap $20 billion or more in relief. U.S. officials have rejected such estimates and have said the accord won’t lift the most punishing sanctions -- those on oil sales and banking. The Obama administration estimated in its statement that Iran will continue to lose $4 billion a month in crude it otherwise would have exported.

Finally, while the cynics may say this was merely yet another attempt to redirect attention from the Obamacare debacle especially since Iran's nuclear power plants have been controlled by US-Israel made computer virus Stuxnet for years, we will one-up their cynicism and this was all merely an advertising photo op for Nike:

 

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Sun, 11/24/2013 - 11:38 | 4185439 paicairopsret
paicairopsret's picture

Remember Neda Agha-Soltan and the would be Iranian revolution.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 11:40 | 4185442 Zhanglan
Zhanglan's picture

Cue Hasbara trolls ....

 

why approximately cannot Iran have nukes, when not only did the USA breach the Non-proliferation treaty by supplying them to India and Israel, but Donald Rumsfeld's company also supplied them to North Korea

 

and, in passing, which hypocritical schoolyard bully has the dubious honour of being the only nation in history to have ever used nukes?

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:22 | 4185546 sgorem
sgorem's picture

let me throw my 2 cents worth in on an answer to you Zhanglan. It's NOT so much the government of Iran having nuclear weapons, as it IS the Islamic religion having nuclear weapons. If I am not of the Muslim faith, then I am considered an Infidel. Under Jihad, of which IT is being called for as we speak, then I as an Infidel, either "conform", or DIE. "Strike them upon their Head" I believe is the term used, meaning beheading. Israel is the "red-headed stepchild" to the Protestant religions of the world. I don't necessarily back/go along with/ support their aggression, or means of confiscation of lands, or the oppression of peoples in the Middle East, ie., Palestinians, but as a so called Christian, I have to follow my faith and acknowledge that whatever they do, right or WRONG, they are the chosen people of My God. My religion Does Not demand adherence to it under the threat of death, either by the sword, or by a NUCLEAR WEAPON. This is my own opinion, and does not reflect the opinions of anyother ZHer or anybody else in the World for that matter. just sayin........

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:26 | 4185556 sgorem
sgorem's picture

and BTW, I believe Japan has a used Nuclear reactor that Iran could get on the cheap. "Slightly used, Pick-up Only".........

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:52 | 4185610 sgorem
sgorem's picture

and BTW II, if the rest of the WORLD doesn't have Oil, Gold, Diamonds, Opium, Terrorists, or ANYTHING of value, then the USSA doesn't want anything to do with you. If "WE" can't Con IT, Steal IT, Coerce IT, or Sanction IT out of your ass, then, and only then, "WE" will DIPLOMATICALY drone, bomb, and invade the living shit out of YOU! So said, by an AMERICAN TAXPAYER, and Funder of Infinite Wars!

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 13:08 | 4185664 Jam Akin
Jam Akin's picture

Islam already has the bomb.  In Pakistan, my man.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 13:22 | 4185692 moonstears
moonstears's picture

Turkey, too.(Though more seems moderate, presumably, than Pak)

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 13:39 | 4185732 nmewn
nmewn's picture

Yes, theocratic nations, that publicly hang homosexuals (no matter what one personally thinks of homosexuality) from cranes, can certainly be trusted in a crisis to make sane & rational decisions.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 14:40 | 4185826 DoChenRollingBearing
DoChenRollingBearing's picture

+ 1, and abuse their women and their little boys and their little girls.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 15:06 | 4185886 TheFourthStooge-ing
TheFourthStooge-ing's picture

Since the government of the United States abuses everyone, it is to be admired.

Because democracy.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 18:01 | 4186277 Oldwood
Oldwood's picture

A more rational argument would serve you better. All things are not equal, just because you don't like it. There is plenty of injustice in the world but to attempt to equate the murder of homosexuals with full societal support to America is a bit broken.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 15:05 | 4185884 TheFourthStooge-ing
TheFourthStooge-ing's picture

When evildoers do evil, the evil they do is more significant than the label they hide behind.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 22:47 | 4186820 sgorem
sgorem's picture

read between the lines "my man". Pakistan & Turkey haven't threatened to obliterate or exterminate anyone with it's nukes, as has Iran with Israel. i guess sometimes one has to write a fucking 10 page dissertation, or use crayons to get his/her point across on here sometimes.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 11:40 | 4185444 nmewn
nmewn's picture

Iranian nuclear plants...good. American nuclear plants...bad.

President Obozo strikes again.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 11:44 | 4185460 JamesBond
JamesBond's picture

Americans not trustful 

Iranians trustful

 

Get used to it fellow USAers.  We are the terrorists now.  

 

jb

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 11:56 | 4185492 TheFourthStooge-ing
TheFourthStooge-ing's picture

.

Get used to it fellow USAers.  We are the terrorists now.

It's been that way for a long time.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 11:42 | 4185452 Ralph Spoilsport
Ralph Spoilsport's picture

Is an "approved" central bank for Iran part of this deal?

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:08 | 4185514 FeralSerf
FeralSerf's picture

Dollars for Iranian oil -- what's not to like?

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 14:03 | 4185766 t0mmyBerg
t0mmyBerg's picture

This is my question.  The ostracization of Iran was creating massive incentives and pressure for non-dollar oil trading.  That would break the dam and threaten to bring down the system of dollar based trading.  That would threaten the US Government's ability to pretend everything is OK by having the Fed buy most but not all of the bonds it issues to finance its welfare state and military.  I wonder if because of this arrangement, China and others have agreed to continue trading in dollars for awhile...  Trying to see that which is hidden.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 15:18 | 4185911 FeralSerf
FeralSerf's picture

That would be the quid pro quo. I'd bet it's a very important hidden part of the agreement. There may as a result be additional supply on the oil market which can't be good for high prices.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 16:51 | 4186125 theprofromdover
theprofromdover's picture

Eggzackly.

Iran has (I think) the third highest oil reserves on the planet. The last thing the US needs is for China and India to buy their oil for gold instead of dollars, which they started doing a couple of years ago. If the dollar disconnects from oil, then Yellen can print all the dollars she wants, on-one will take them. So Obamo has done this out of desperation. Don't be surprised if the oil-boys are already sitting on the Iranian border, ready to move in again after nearly 35 years.

He thinks he's going to kick-start the world economy on cheap Iranian oil and hang the Russians, the Saudis, the Canadians. (until Wall St. tells hom their plan)

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 11:52 | 4185461 Took Red Pill
Took Red Pill's picture

With Obama's popularity at an all time low, rivaling W.'s, he needs a feather in his cap about now. This is nothing more than a p.r. stunt. and a distraction from what's really happening.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 11:46 | 4185470 Repdreamer
Repdreamer's picture

Hard to see how this "diffuses tension in the region and lowers the probability of war." Saudi Arabia is planning to import nukes from Pakistan to counter Iran, and Israel will fight against what she sees as an existential threat.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:12 | 4185530 TheFourthStooge-ing
TheFourthStooge-ing's picture

The whole narrative of the "existential threat" to Israel posed by Iran has been since its inception years ago nothing more than a deceptive marketing campaign.

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/livni-behind-closed-doors-iran...

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/mossad-chief-nuclear-iran-not-...

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 18:33 | 4186340 Oldwood
Oldwood's picture

I guess it comes down to who you WANT to believe. If we could simply judge the qualities a country possesses, I would look at immigration. How many immigrants have moved to Iran versus Israel and the US over the last forty years? Are all those leaving Iran just easily impressionable idiots who watch FOX News? I don't claim to have any personal knowledge of the middle east. I'm just like most people looking at the obvious things and trying to figure it out. The one thing I do find a problem with is any analysis that presumes that anyone who does not agree is an idiot or worse. Lighten up a bit unless of course you just enjoy it.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 11:47 | 4185473 Yen Cross
Yen Cross's picture

 MOAR smoke and mirrors for the 2014 midterms... Anything to distract the serfs from the criminal Obunga administration will be exploited.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 11:59 | 4185496 JamesBond
JamesBond's picture

The United States said Saturday it was “deeply concerned” and committed to defending Japan after China announced an air zone in the East China Sea that covers disputed islets.

====

Stupid Japanese

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:04 | 4185503 moneybots
moneybots's picture

George Orwell would be proud.  Iran does and doesn't have the right to enrich according to the agreement.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:06 | 4185507 sbenard
sbenard's picture

Thank you, Tyler, for posting this! My sentiments exactly.

Today will go down in history as the Neville Chamberlain moment in the world's list of calamity-causing events!

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:10 | 4185510 moonstears
moonstears's picture

Important stuff, think globally now. You have to give Iran time to at least SEEM (not sure if they WILL, likely/maybe) to have created the material for a bomb, then, what...???

disclosure: Long slightly irradiated immigrants CDS'

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:06 | 4185512 q99x2
q99x2's picture

Well if the Washington D.C. politicians help Iran get rid of Israel there will finally be peace in the middle east. Like everyone will be an Arab eh?

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 14:15 | 4185780 TheFourthStooge-ing
TheFourthStooge-ing's picture

A couple of minor points.

First, no foreign power is getting rid of Israel, least of all Iran. The biggest threat to the nation of Israel is its own government, just like the biggest threat to the US is the federal government.

Second, Iranians are not arabs.

That is all.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 14:45 | 4185842 Wen_Dat
Wen_Dat's picture

They may not be Arabs, but they're brown///

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 18:59 | 4186392 Ralph Spoilsport
Ralph Spoilsport's picture

Iran translates to Land of the Aryans in modern Persian. They're like brown Germans.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:08 | 4185515 logicalman
logicalman's picture

Chamberlain might have pulled it off if it hadn't been for the drunken warmonger know as Churchill.

How about some sanctions on Israel, who have nuclear weapons?

Iran is a signatory to the NPT and under it has a legal right to pursue peaceful nuclear power. (Not a good idea, IMHO. Fukushima is a big clue as to the downside)

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:38 | 4185591 Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill's picture

Unless Senator Cruz invented Obozocare in your view, you want to revisit your history books.

Churchill was in the political wilderness until after the war started.

Chamberlain gets a bad rap from history anyhow.He achieved the required breathing space for

the UK to rearm.It was critical in 1938 as the UK was defenceless against any German action.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 19:14 | 4186417 logicalman
logicalman's picture

There's some really enlightening stuff on WSC by David Irving - check it out, you'll see what I mean.

On the other hand you could stick with not knowing.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:09 | 4185520 The Persistent ...
The Persistent Vegetable's picture

The Untied States of America. The only appeaser in the history of the world that rains death from above on countries against whom no declaration of war has been made. The only appeaser in the history of the world that has spent almost the entire 21st century in a state of war.

Yeah, the Untied States is full of appeasing, peacenik pussies!

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:16 | 4185533 smacker
smacker's picture

There should be no confusion about this deal.

Like so many face-saving deals that rise to the surface like political filth, it allows anybody and everybody to read into it whatever they wish.

Everybody's happy at nothing meaningful being achieved.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:21 | 4185542 Xandrino
Xandrino's picture

Iran has been under western control since 1953...the rest is history. They all work together. It's just which part they get to play.

 

"Ordo Ab Chao"

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:30 | 4185564 chemystical
chemystical's picture

One question that (as yet) has not been asked here:

Now that the west has sanctioned the Iranian nuclear program, what will their reaction(s) be the next time ISR murders an Iranian scientist or bombs another suspected nuclear facility?

My guess: as far as western gov't reaction it will be the same as it's always been...crickets.  And that will tell you who's holding the leash and who's at the other end.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:32 | 4185572 ChaosEquilibrium
ChaosEquilibrium's picture

This is why the World is DOOMED!!!

 

This "negotiated deal" was made out of POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY......completed for the sake of being completed!!!

 

It 'kicked the can'.........NOTHING is really accomplished or solved.....Iran will continue toward Nuclear Weapons.....The West can claim a moral victory......Israel must now make a difficult decision....and NOONE in the West will be around to take responsibility when the KNOWN outcome becomes APPARENT!

Either an Iranian Nuclear Weapons Test OR a strategic military strike by Israel!!!!

Pitiful world....pitiful world!  ENJOY:)

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 14:27 | 4185801 TheFourthStooge-ing
TheFourthStooge-ing's picture

.

It 'kicked the can'.........NOTHING is really accomplished or solved.....Iran will continue toward Nuclear Weapons

Continue? Both US and Israeli intelligence concede that there is no evidence of an Iranian nuclear weapon program. Are you in possession of some secret knowledge?

Israel must now make a difficult decision

The difficult decision is whether to continue with a government led by screeching chimps flinging feces at the world or to seek a government led by adults.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 18:44 | 4186363 Oldwood
Oldwood's picture

"Continue? Both US and Israeli intelligence concede that there is no evidence of an Iranian nuclear weapon program. Are you in possession of some secret knowledge?"

Are you? I claim to know nothing which is obviously considerably less than you, but We have heard many predict that the Iranians were within weeks of having fissile materials over recent months. Would it be even a little reasonable from a conspiracy point of view that they may actually have refined a substantial amount of this material by now and secreted it away from any future inspections? Why, after all this time are they only now making this deal? what has changed for them. Obama came to office with talk of direct negotiations with them and they blew him off. Why now?

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 20:47 | 4186608 TheFourthStooge-ing
TheFourthStooge-ing's picture

.

We have heard many predict that the Iranians were within weeks of having fissile materials over recent months.

We've been hearing that for thirty years.

http://original.antiwar.com/sahimi/2010/05/04/irans-ever-imminent-nukes/

Would it be even a little reasonable from a conspiracy point of view that they may actually have refined a substantial amount of this material by now and secreted it away from any future inspections?

No. First of all, Iran's uranium enrichment program is, and has been, under direct observation by IAEA inspectors. This is part of Iran's obligations under the terms of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the terms of which Iran has remained in compliance with.

Secondly, Iran has never enriched uranium to anything near weapons grade (> 90 percent U-235). The only reason they enriched uranium to 20 percent U-235 was because they needed fuel for the Tehran Research Reactor to supply medical isotopes, and the US scuttled an agreement put together by Brazil and Turkey to provide them with the needed fuel plates in exchange for some of the uranium that they'd enriched to 3 percent U-235.

Iran then notified the IAEA of their intention to enrich to 20 percent U-235 an amount of uranium sufficient to provide fuel plates for the TRR. Again, this was all done under the watchful eye of the IAEA. Iran has been converting this supply to uranium oxide fuel plates, effectively preventing its further enrichment. Last month Iran announced that it had ceased enrichment to 20 percent U-235 because it had all that it needed to fuel the TRR.

Why, after all this time are they only now making this deal?

They've made similar offers many times before, including an offer to open their entire nuclear research program to joint US participation.

what has changed for them.

Nothing.

Obama came to office with talk of direct negotiations with them and they blew him off. Why now?

Actually, it's the other way around. It has been the US government which has stood in the way of a peaceful resolution.

If you're really interested in learning more about the history of this matter, I highly recommend the article below.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MH16Ak03.html

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:31 | 4185573 ebworthen
ebworthen's picture

Politicians waving pieces of paper in the air and hollow promises wafting in the wind.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:38 | 4185590 I Write Code
I Write Code's picture

Y'know, I'm going to turn around on this.  I saw SoS John F. Kerry on the morning shows, and y'know what, he wasn't the complete and utter dunce that I expected, he actually seemed to have a grasp of the facts and a nuanced presentation - also enough makeup to make seven corpses look lovely.

Here's the thing, we have no particular right to tell Iran what to do, they are a sovereign nation and can do whatever they want, right up to the point where somebody disagrees enough to drop bombs on them.  That's the right we maintain, whatever pieces of paper anyone signs.

So, maybe this piece of paper, and any actionable agreement, is worth something, not much but something.  Such is the job of a SoS.  Good on him. 

What I do know is that with five or ten billion dollars now going to be moving around, lots of people will be taking a commission on those movements, and that's what this was really all about.  The reality on the ground is pretty much unchanged, even Netanyahu's disapproval is more for the cameras than serious.  None of this was really serious.  The uranium is serious, the bombs are serious, war and death are serious, but not this dramatic play-acting and pretend agreements.  Go with reality every time.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:37 | 4185592 Chaos_Theory
Chaos_Theory's picture

All I want to know is...what does Kim Karashian and Miley Cyrus think about this?  They are the great American thinkers after all.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 13:11 | 4185671 Paracelsus
Paracelsus's picture

Lets see:

                Risk on Iran, good

                Risk on Wall Street, bad

                Keep corrupt zombie banks propped up by injections of taxpayers

                money,good

                Keep corrupt mideast dictatorships in power until overthrown by angry mobs

                thereby destabilizing mideast,good

                Brinksmanship with Russian Navy over minor mideast country,good

 

               Okay,I got it now....

-

 

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:39 | 4185598 22winmag
22winmag's picture

Iran has been "a matter of months" away from building a bomb for 20 years. Wake me up when they actually use one in an offensive military operation... not a false flag.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:47 | 4185605 russwinter
russwinter's picture

US-Saudi relations are poor because Obama hasn't shown a willingness to engage in military operations like some hired mercenary. That is strange because Obama is a mercenary in every sense of the word.  Also this risks the petrodollar, right when other factors are in play such as China becoming a larger customer than the US.

 

So I'm racketing my brain as to how this could be played out to some how support the petrodollar con. Perhaps next Israel and the Saudis team up and take out Iran's facilities with the US uninvolved and winking at arms length.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:50 | 4185619 surf0766
surf0766's picture

It is not support the petrodollar. It is to destroy it

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 18:52 | 4186373 lakecity55
lakecity55's picture

Exactly.

Backdoor is the Agent in Place to kill the dollar and usher in a type of SDR preferable to International Banksters.  Perhaps an ascendancy of the Yuan. A deal with the Euro/Yuan dumping the dollar to second tier.

Rotgut Socialism for everyone Except the Banksters who will have a bar stocked with the best blends.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 17:24 | 4186203 the0ther
the0ther's picture

Obama is mercenary for globalist who are leftist. These same would be happy to see the end of the petrodollar. 

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:47 | 4185614 Yousif
Yousif's picture

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/21/us-saudi-shells-border-idUSBRE...

One would hope the story above had nothing to do with the "deal".

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:50 | 4185620 GrinandBearit
GrinandBearit's picture

BULLISH!

Market up 200+ points on Monday.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 19:38 | 4186470 GrinandBearit
GrinandBearit's picture

It's 6:38pm on Sunday night and ES futures up over 8 points.

Told ya it was bullish!

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:51 | 4185624 Dewey Cheatum Howe
Dewey Cheatum Howe's picture

I haven't really paid attention to this but if I had to guess it is all about the petro dollar. I bet the agreement includes Iran stop selling oil for gold and price it in USD again. THE US is fucking broke like a joke and the reality is going to war in Iran is probably going to cost more than lifting sanctions to tap that revenue stream. Also you have Obama systematically weakening the US in a controlled takedown of this country going on at the same time. As long as the spice flows for the money changers they care not.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 13:04 | 4185652 Al Huxley
Al Huxley's picture

That makes more sense than anything else.  Saudis vocally announcing their displeasure at US disobedience re Syria and signally intent to swap out the US for some more promising, powerful protection provider, China announcing intention to price oil in Yuan AND intention to stop increasing foreign currency (read US) reserves, bilateral, non USD trade agreements popping up everywhere - suddenly, maybe Iran is the best/only potential friend (well, friend with oil) on the block.  Of course, the problem with that is, thanks to shale oil the US is supposedly on track to be the worlds biggest oil producer by 2015 so who needs those arabs anymore?

 

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 13:19 | 4185687 Son of Captain Nemo
Son of Captain Nemo's picture

If only we had maintained the "status quo" and not listened to the oil corporations back in the early 80's when Colorado was booming on it?

Then G.H. Walker Bush came to town and put a stop to it right quick.

Doesn't matter anyway as we were sucking the life out of the ME then as now with our military and our reserve status.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 13:26 | 4185702 Dewey Cheatum Howe
Dewey Cheatum Howe's picture

They have the upper hand as far as the biggest consumer of petrol and gas goes aka the EU and Europe in general. Location, location, location. The logistics and shipping costs probably alone probably allow them to mark up the cost of oil/gas and still be competitive against US gas. It is all about the cost of shipping it from the US over to Europe. Asia is the bigger prize if anything especially countries like China. Don't be surprised if the US sells out some of those gas fields to the Chinese to get the them to keep investing in Treasuries. They need the energy and we have the upper hand over the MENA region, location, location, location. The only major competitor for energy there is Russia. Chinese got US by the balls and probably will squeeze hard for natural gas for pennies on the dollar in return for buying US debt.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 13:01 | 4185644 Sufiy
Sufiy's picture


Do we witness the first chapter of Financial War with China and Russia cornering US with the threat to dump US Treasuries?

Iran Nuclear Deal Fact Sheet: Suspend Certain Sanctions On Gold And Precious Metals


ZeroHedge reports Iran Deal Fact Sheet and among other provisions certain sanctions on gold and precious metals will be suspended. Will it bring more stability to the region and provide less excuses to stimulate the economy starting another war? Is this the turning point for the infamous "plan to liberate" seven countries in the Middle East? It all remains to be seen, including reactions from Israel and Saudi Arabia. Now all recent announcements from China:  PBOC Says No Longer in China's Interest to Increase Reserves. - can be taken into the new light of this developments. Are US Treasury holders already using their economic power in the Financial War following after The Currency Wars?   We will be monitoring the implications for the Gold market next week following this development and after the groundbreaking announcements from China.   Jim Rickards was twitting about his take on this deal:

 
10h


As expected, the U.S.-Iran nuke deal gives the right to buy again.

  Peter Schiff: On Taper, China's Bombshell Announcements For Treasuries, Dollar And Gold GLD, MUX, TNR.v, GDX

 
"Peter Schiff talks about the bombshell of the year - China has announced the Mother Of All Tapering -  PBOC Says No Longer in China's Interest to Increase Reserves. China is ready to reduce its balance sheet and they do not have to sell any US Treasuries - during the operation Twist they have used the golden opportunity and rolled over the long term treasuries into the shorter maturities. China can just allow US to repay maturing US Treasuries. We do not think here that they will accept Bitcoin. They have made this announcement after the record buying of Gold and some people are estimating that official Gold reserves are much higher than officially recognised today."


Sun, 11/24/2013 - 13:02 | 4185647 Throwinghammers
Throwinghammers's picture

Obama on the phone: Make that 8 large pizza, Gramany wants brauts and sauerkraut, Chinese Tofu with leeks, Iran hold the pork, Italian XX tomato sauce, Russia tuna, France  bacon onion fresh cream!

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 13:18 | 4185680 Trampy
Trampy's picture

dup

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 13:47 | 4185681 Trampy
Trampy's picture

 

SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS

Inmate of the open-air prison run by lunatics and populated almost entirely by zombies is seeking pen-pal because God gave Eve to Adam … and Aldous Huxley gave someone to Winston Smith.

For mutual support in these trying times, am seeking fellow non-zombie intelligent, open-minded, and well-informed inmate for discussing topics of mutual interest, such as:

  1. Both actual and notional nuclear accidents, and nuclear technology of all sorts;

  2. Historical Revisionism of WW1 and WW2 per Harry Elmer Barnes, 1889–1968;

  3. John Kenneth Galbraith as a two-handed economist;

  4. Bankers v. The People going way back to Andrew Jackson;

  5. contemporary Capitalist Crisis as predicted by Karl Marx;

  6. 1984, Alice in Wonderland, and The Wizard of Oz as works of history;

  7. Newspeak, shunning, strawman, etc. as effective social controls;

  8. zerohedge.com as island of sanity, albeit sorely lacking collegiality; and

  9. identifiable weaknesses in the prison system which might allow its escape.

SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 15:56 | 4185994 NuYawkFrankie
NuYawkFrankie's picture

You might wanna try CougarLife.com...

I've heard they have discussion groups for almost every 'proclivity' ;)

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 13:18 | 4185686 thisandthat
thisandthat's picture

 

If Iran's nuclear program is really only for peaceful purposes, then "prove it" Just how does one prove they are not doing something they are not doing?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Probatio_diabolica

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 13:21 | 4185689 quo vadis
quo vadis's picture

In the end there was no "deal breaker". And actually this had a deal maker: the threat of Iran substituting bitcoin for petrodollars...

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 14:31 | 4185811 squexx
squexx's picture

Fuck Israel and the Satanic parasites that infest the place!

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 13:26 | 4185700 Arkadaba
Arkadaba's picture

What is confusing me is if this Iran deal has been in making since March via back channel negotiations, what the hell was the red line in the sand on Syria all about? Any movement on Syria would have scuttled negotiations - so was it all just theatre? 

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 13:27 | 4185706 W74
W74's picture

Another Anschluss?  Is Iran going to unite with Azerbaijan, or Turkmenistan?  Never saw that coming.

Oh, and Fuck Israel!!!

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 18:29 | 4186329 lakecity55
lakecity55's picture

Turkmen are Sunni.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 13:34 | 4185716 Winston Smith 2009
Winston Smith 2009's picture

What's to be confused about, world?  It has long been suspected that Saudi Arabia is lying like mad about its oil reserves while both Iraq and Iran have what are nearly certain to be huge undeveloped reserves by comparison. Thus, the invasion of Iraq and the hostility toward Iran trying to force regime change. Now, Saudi Arabia is on its way out and Iraq and Iran on their way in.  Very simple, OIL AS ALWAYS.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 13:59 | 4185761 Yen Cross
Yen Cross's picture

  This so called sanction deal is a farce! China has been suckling at the teet of Irans' oil for years. China is more then willing to exchange oil for gold with Iran. China has the financial means and demand to float Iran.

  I suspect the the REAL underlying issues have much more meaning, than what we're reading in the "Main Stream Enquirer."

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 14:24 | 4185800 Money Squid
Money Squid's picture

When the US announces a peace agreement with your country you know you are fooked. Remeber when Barry visited Egypt? How long was it till revoltuion started. Remember when Hillary "appologized" to Iran for the Eisenhower coup?

Disarm your advesary via peace talks then blow the shit out of them. Syria giving up its chemical weapons means they will have not WMD strike back with. Iran giving up its WMD means they are now defenseless and the real games will begin, but with out direct military attack, at least for now.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 14:30 | 4185805 dondonsurvelo
dondonsurvelo's picture

I feel really good about trusting the Iranian government doing what they have agreed to.  We already know that when they say homosexuality is punishable by death that they follow through with the death penalty for gays.  Or when they say that adultry will be punished by stoning and they then stone immoral women (not the men).  This is definitely a government run by Islamic zealots that will imprison and execute you if you are not a Muslim that can be trusted to do as they say.  Well done Obama/Kerry!

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 14:40 | 4185825 Fix It Again Timmy
Fix It Again Timmy's picture

The US is always "dressed to kill" and until that changes....

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 14:49 | 4185853 y3maxx
y3maxx's picture

F*ck Iran

F*ck Israel

“Iran should be able to access peaceful nuclear energy, but because of its record of violating its obligations, Iran must accept strict limitations on its nuclear program.” - Obama

and F*ck Obama and GE

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 15:02 | 4185881 steelrules
steelrules's picture

Liberty, Cole, 9/11. Israel and the house of Saud have their fingerprints all over these attacks and yet America choses these as it's allies.

Wait for it peeps, Bibi and Bandar are now planning the next false flag on the US to blame on Iran.

No Peace!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsUscVoZcMQ

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 15:03 | 4185883 Billy Shears
Billy Shears's picture

Haven't purchased a pair of Nike shoes in YEARS. Now, certainly not!

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 15:19 | 4185912 roadhazard
roadhazard's picture

I think the WHOLE THING has been BS since Israel got it's nukes. Iran can have them just like N. Korea and Pakistan. Games, games, games.

Get out of Afghanistan and Iraq too.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 15:22 | 4185916 besnook
besnook's picture

it really is not that difficult to understand what happened if you look at the timeline since 2008. the first thing that happened was the purge of the neocons(bush,sr's crazies that his son embraced) from the state department,  getting rid of rahm by awarding him chicago(how much do you like rahm chicago?) allowing unbridled israel bashing on mainstream media outlets allowing the usa domestic anti israel sentiment to grow and coalesce around the general theme of fuck israel, the takedown of morsi when he supported the syrian rebels because the usa has never fully supported the rebels and now the final takedown of israel and saudi arabia on both syria and iran. this agreement is the last nail in the coffin of the israel led neocon project for a new american century.

that is the diplomatic runup. what are the economic reasons, the real reasons for this? it is obviously all about oil and gas supplies not only to europe but also to china. iran presented itself as the pivot for an agreement on oil and gas supplies. israel got suckered into the scheme in a brilliant move by the usa and russia to use the chemical warfare redline as the trap to remove israel from the equation. so what has really been traded in geneva? iran made an agreement with china a few years back that would relegate japan to second status(their formerly largest customer). russia has made agreements with iran for the development of iran's huge gas fields with the intent to ship the gas through pipelines controlled by russia to europe which would have the effect of tightening the energy garret around europe's neck. in the meantime, the canadian tar sands, venezuela's huge reserves, the potential of ecuador's deposits, and domestic oil production has reduced the usa need for mid esat oil to a trickle making the mid east countries almost irrelevant except for the petro dollars it produces. so the usa has now formally turned the region over to russia and china in matters of energy and diplomacy(africa is another matter. divvying up africa is where the action really is). israel is fucked because they economically and strategically do not matter despite the charade the usa and israel have perped over the last 50 years. chian and russia would never put up the crap the usa has taken from israel and the domestic 5th column. putin would have just killed them all.

so the agreement is monumental in the sense that russia, and china and the usa(with europe along for the ride) have agreed to a multipolar world that will include a basket of currencies eventually substituting for the dollar as reserve currency(yuan, yen, euro, pound, dollar, and ruble for oil) guarantees for supply of energy to europe and japan(and peugot cars for iran to get the frogs onboard. i though that was a funny concession in the agreenment).

the whole thing is brilliant and a huge win for the world if all the details can be worked out.

kind of ironic that israel in many ways controls the world in this situation and i think putin let nutandyahoo know that if israel tries to fuck things up they will have to answer to russia with the usa standing by idly waving it's arms and yelling at the top their lungs in false protest and condemnation(which the usa is very good at.

i would advise israelis to take helen thomas' advice and buy one way tickets out of israel to go back home before it costs 100 times today's price because of demand. it will not end well for them under the control of russia and china. any savvy israeli should know that their survival has always depended upon the largesse of the usa because they have nothing of value to offer anyone.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 15:40 | 4185919 robertocarlos
robertocarlos's picture

The odds of anyone getting nuked in the next 2 years have just gone down. It's a good day.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 15:29 | 4185941 bugs_
bugs_'s picture

Would the 12'th Imam approve of making a deal with The Great Satan?

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 15:33 | 4185946 joego1
joego1's picture

I think the Russians or someone else slid them a couple of tactical nukes and promised to keep them coming so now they don't need their own nuke programs so much. It's now just a bargaining chip for them. When this all started I suspected that it would be impossible to prevent them from getting a nuke if they were deturmined to get one.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 15:50 | 4185977 MrPoopypants
MrPoopypants's picture

Stratfor quoted a Russian general who held that Iran already had the bomb. That was over 10 years ago.

This is all for show.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 15:48 | 4185975 DangerClams
DangerClams's picture

Kerry's pretty quick on his feet, though.  He managed to apply enough makeup on his face to hide the bruising he has around his mouth from all the fucking it got over the last couple of weeks by hirsute Iranian "negotiators".

For God and country, John.  Do Iranians balls taste like the ones Mumsy used to make you put in your mouth?

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 15:55 | 4185991 Trampy
Trampy's picture

 

SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS

Inmate of open-air prison run by lunatics and populated almost entirely by zombies is desperately seeking a pen-pal ... because God gave Eve to Adam, and Aldous Huxley gave someone to Winston Smith.

For mutual support in these trying times, am seeking fellow non-zombie intelligent, open-minded, and well-informed inmate for discussing topics of mutual interest, such as:

  1. Both actual and notional nuclear accidents, and nuclear technology of all sorts;

  2. Historical Revisionism of WW1 and WW2 per Harry Elmer Barnes, 1889–1968;

  3. John Kenneth Galbraith as a two-handed economist;

  4. Bankers v. The People going way back to Andrew Jackson;

  5. contemporary Capitalist Crisis as predicted by Karl Marx;

  6. 1984, Alice in Wonderland, and The Wizard of Oz as works of history;

  7. Newspeak, shunning, strawman, etc. as effective social controls;

  8. zerohedge.com as island of sanity, albeit sorely lacking collegiality; and

  9. identifiable weaknesses in the prison system which might allow its escape.

SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 16:18 | 4186013 NuYawkFrankie
NuYawkFrankie's picture

 Breaking Fox News....

Massed Iranian armoured columns reported to be rolling into the Sudetenland neighbouhood of downtown Tel Aviv...

being greeted by wildly cheering throngs of Arabic-speaking falafel street-vendors....

Developing...

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 16:04 | 4186015 Flammonde
Flammonde's picture

Atomics are passe.  Biological weapons are much cheaper and harder to source.  

http://www.ihr.org/jhr/v17/v17n6p24_Weber.html

 Israel is working on an "ethnically targeted" biological weapon that would kill or harm Arabs but not Jews, according to Israeli military and western intelligence sources cited in a front-page report in the London Sunday Times, November 15, 1998 ("Israel Planning 'Ethnic' Bomb as Saddam Caves In," by Uzi Mahnaimi and Marie Colvin).

In developing this "ethno-bomb," the British paper went on, Israeli scientists are trying to exploit medical advances by identifying distinctive genes carried by some Arabs, and then create a genetically modified bacterium or virus. The goal is to use the ability of viruses and certain bacteria to alter the DNA inside the host's living cells. The scientists are trying to engineer deadly microorganisms that attack only those bearing the distinctive genes.

The secret Israel program is based at the Institute for Biological Research in Nes Tsiona, a small town southeast of Tel Aviv, the main research facility for Israel's clandestine arsenal of chemical and biological weapons

  1. Israel's NuclearBiological and Chemical Weapons sjlendman.blogspot.com/2012/.../israels-nuclear-biological-and-chemical...
     

    May 17, 2012 - Israel's long known open secret is its formidable nuclear arsenal. Less is known about its chemical and biological weapons (CBW) capability.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 16:07 | 4186024 tony wilson
tony wilson's picture

the only thing that matters fuckers is what jacob and edwyne rothschilds want.

they will instruct rockerfella skank wheelchair cripple he will instruct soros and on down the line.

something wicked is afoot watson and it stinks of saudi and israeli and english jew.

just sayin

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 16:13 | 4186043 autofixer
autofixer's picture

Meanwhile, in Riyhad, the House of Saud is quietly taking delivery of their Pakistani built nukes. 

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 16:18 | 4186057 Westcoastliberal
Westcoastliberal's picture

Once again, the U.S. government shines the "spotlight" squarely where it does not belong, because the worldwide nuclear threat is not Iran, it is Japan with the catastrophy that is FUCKU-SHIMA, which has already done untold damage to that country and the entire Pacific Ocean, and which will, in time, spread its radioactivity to the entire Northern Hemisphere.

When, oh when, will our government get its priorities straight?

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 16:21 | 4186062 robertocarlos
robertocarlos's picture

Ottawa is sceptical. Canada is Jew owned.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 17:01 | 4186147 Gyoza Mimi
Gyoza Mimi's picture

And somehow Tyler conveniently forgets that the first time Iran was "months away from the nuclear bomb" back in 1980, according to the US and Israel. So instead of painting historically awkward comparison to 1938 Germany, perhaps, the article should have focused on comparing nuclear-armed Iran of 2014 to nuclear-armed Iran of 1981 as promised by the US and Israeli media in 1980.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 18:56 | 4186384 Oldwood
Oldwood's picture

So are you saying they are not trying to achieve nuclear arms, if not already possessing them, or its no worries if they do? All this discussion about centrifuges was just bullshit and the assassination of nuclear scientists was all hokum? Not trying to excuse our idiots but does it help to act like they are the innocents here?

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 20:35 | 4186577 falak pema
falak pema's picture

Don't let the tree distract you from the wood. This is a major watershed in US ME politics; after Syria where Assad seems to regain sway against US supported coalition the US is saying "goodbye to all that" in Iran as well; as it is also in PAk/Afghan.

The US cannot afford to play gendarme any more for its traditional Sunni and Israeil allies as for the last 50 years.

Here is an aritcle written by a Neo COn policy hawk who is saying its "goodbye to all that" in her opinion : 

Iranian nuclear deal -- brace yourself for a Middle Eastern arms race, America | Fox News

We are seeing in hard terms the consequences of tipping moment post 2008 financial cataclysm now an every day reality getting worse for mainstream USA.

And Potus is now saying "In my second term I have to do this... I'm outta of bullets for the old style shoot out."

Military america will have to take off its battle dress in ME and maybe put it on more in South China Sea.

But that is down the road as of today....

 

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 21:52 | 4186723 Gyoza Mimi
Gyoza Mimi's picture

I am trying to say what I have said - US and Israel has been claiming that Iran will make nukes tomorrow for over 30 years now. The tune or the timeline of the nuclear-armed Iran hasn't changed during that time - it is always next week that Iran will bomb the entire world if we don't act today preemptively.

 

The reporting quality of ZH went down so much that Fox News now seem to be the more credible source of unbiased information. The formula that ZH developed is simple - take news presented by others, multiply them by -1 and display them with a doze of mockery. If ZH makes a fool of itself in the process, so be it, because the new audience of ZH wouldn't care - they don't know facts, history or economic fundamentals. But they surely feel clever and empowered mocking everyone on TV and in the news. In 2009, ZH was visited by mostly industry professionals with a wealth of experience and knowledge. In 2013, the number of ZH visitors is all-time high, but it comprised of double-digits IQ BBA-wanna-be's feeling clever than the rest of the world because they get to critisize and mock decisions by true intelectuals.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 19:44 | 4186477 falak pema
falak pema's picture

If Iran had that potential nuclear capability in 1981 it would not be in the current conundrum today. Admittedly a lot of the Shah's nuclear engineers fled Iran after revolution. You are confusing Iraq and Iran. In 1980s the Israelis took out the Iraqi nuclear site of Osirak where both french and russian expertise was imbedded, using the Iran- Iraq war as a pretext to bomb Iraq, with Saddam's back turned.

The paranoia in Us and Israeli media was high against Iran and Khomeiny after the embassy seige of 1979.

Saddam was supposed to do Saudi and US dirty work then and it backfired; getting US deeper into the mire by making an enemy of Saddam's Iraq.

Now its curtains for that whole shooting match which is going foul. It costs an arm and a leg to run a 100 bases around the ME / Pak-afgh territory. And, now Chindia is top client for arab oil not USA. 

So its now the law of diminishing returns and that has the hen pen clucking madly in Riyadh and Jerusalem. 

"Sorry fellas! we're running out of $ gas"... says Kerry to bandar wahhabi ... "I have to try those Irani kebabs."

They have much better food in Iran than in Riyadh.  

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 17:44 | 4186241 Mi Naem
Mi Naem's picture

Why should Israel have a monopoly on nukes in that neighborhood? 

Let their future bellicosity be tempered by visions of the abomination of desolation. 

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 18:36 | 4186345 lakecity55
lakecity55's picture

Hard to gauge this one, except what I posted about the dynamic duo.

Iran signed the NPT, Isreel did not.

Iran has not invaded anyone recently.

Iran does have a fanatical form of Islam.

Iran probably already has some nukes, but have not used them.

I suspect they wish to grow their economy and their regional status without interference from the West.

So, it comes down to Resources, and Who will control them: The Red Shield Axis or the Independent Axis.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 19:00 | 4186394 Oldwood
Oldwood's picture

I may be a little weak on history here but when did Israel invade another country without being attacked first? How many countries surrounding Israel have come to their aid in these attacks and how many are considered their allies in the region? Not trying to take sides so much as to suggest there may be reasons besides ideological evil.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 18:03 | 4186285 Unstable Condition
Unstable Condition's picture

All this to try and keep the petrodollar alive?

Maybe?

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 18:13 | 4186305 1stepcloser
1stepcloser's picture

Did Iran's Central bank get turned over the Jews? if Not, nothing has changed

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 18:22 | 4186320 lakecity55
lakecity55's picture

Anything Swift Boat and Backdoor agree to is 100% guaranteed to backfire.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 18:58 | 4186390 FreeNewEnergy
FreeNewEnergy's picture

Good for consumers. Oil prices will come off further, along with gas. Now, go out and shop.

Just in time for Christmas. Watch CNBC herald the coming cheap oil as the savior of the economy (funny thing, they're partially right).

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 21:12 | 4186653 Pumpkin
Pumpkin's picture

A nation that considers usery a dreadful sin, having a nuke.  Oh the horror.  And Israel don't like it.  Go figure.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 22:05 | 4186731 Jack Burton
Jack Burton's picture

Does Israel now  submit under the name Tyler Durden? Or does AIPAC? The story and it's pretensions to be anything but a cheap piece of propaganda in aid of the Israeli drive for war on Iran escape me. I believe it is a joke really. Sort of like a ZH Onion. Because the war mongers in the USA and Israel are up to their lips in blood for over a decade now, yet Iran is minding it's own business. Israeli terrorists bomb and kill Iranians. They do not respond. Israel threaten nuclear genocide and Iran does nothing much. Who appeases who around here anyways?

This deal was signed due to the new influence of Russia in this game. The USA took note of Putins promise to defend Iran against Israeli and USA attack IF the west attacked Syria. Putin was recorded on RT mentioning advanced weapons systems of the most modern available being sent to Iran should the USA and Israel attack Syria.

Does anyone with any military knowedge at all know how big a game changer that Putin promise was. Do you see the USA launching it's missiles? No? The US Navy had it's cruise missile cruisers off of the Lebanon coast, targeted and ready for a simple launch key punched in. But it didn't happen. Russia called Obama and told him what the result would be. Even almighty Israel knows it's air force is not going to survive over Iran if Iran gets S-300 and S-400 protected by the Tor M-2 with the newest advanced missiles installed. That is just a beginning, on Russian websites you could ready a list of what Putin said would be made avaiable for Iran's defense. Nope, no more Iraq turkey shoot massacres. Neither Putin nor even China is onboard with that.

Do some research, the game has changed. Israel and Saudi Arabia are in crisis mode and making all kinds of crazy threats. The USA would not be ready or willing to fight the type of air war against Iran that would result from complete support of Iranian air defenses by Russia. And it's not just the missile systems. Russia in 2013 has many other passive systems to disrupt the wests former unstopable aricraft and cruise missiles. Plus, if Putin gave Iran some mobile batteries of Iskander missiles, any ground force approaching Iranian territory is going to look up as their hear the super sonic arrival of the warheads. That is the last thing they will hear. War is no longer a joke, Iraq was funny, we all laughed at how easily the Iraqis died at our hands. Iraq was basically disarmed at the time. Iran is not, and Russia and China will see to it that Iran's defenses are not a joke.

You have to measure the American's desire to fight when the enemy can fight back. Americans have grown used to onside massacres. Do you think Iran is going to be like that, if Russia and China draw the line. Nope. Real war is coming. It will cost trillions, and this time we lose real numbers of men and equipment. Obama hasn't the guts to commit the forces to a real war.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 23:52 | 4186954 Hubbs
Hubbs's picture

"I understood the agreement before I misunderstood it."

Mon, 11/25/2013 - 10:30 | 4187567 esum
esum's picture

another fine job selling us out by the obumbler and his crew of keystone cops...

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