Iran, world powers agree to nuclear deal framework

Iran, the United States, and five world powers have agreed to the principles of a final deal on Iran’s nuclear program. International leaders including President Barack Obama and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif emphasized the parties have not put the agreement in writing yet. They have until June 30 to finalize the details.

Obama sketched out the big picture of the agreement in a speech at the White House Rose Garden today. The deal does not require Iran to close any nuclear facilities, but it does force Iran to scale back its production of nuclear materials. Iran agreed not to produce plutonium at its controversial Arak reactor. It is supposed to slow its uranium enrichment activities for the next 10 years, increasing its “breakout time”—the time it would take to create a nuclear weapon—from several months to a year. And it agreed to submit to what Obama called the most robust and intrusive nuclear inspection program in the world.

“This deal is not based on trust. It’s based on unprecedented verification,” Obama said.

In return, the United Nations Security Council would end sanctions on Iran, though the extent of that relief is unclear. Obama said in a speech that “certain” sanctions would end, while Zarif said from Lausanne, Switzerland, that “it will be an end of Security Council resolutions.” Both Zarif and Obama said individual nations can continue sanctions against Iran under the deal. America intends to keep sanctions in place for Iran’s sponsorship of terrorism, human rights abuses, and ballistic missile program, Obama said.

The president plans later today to discuss the deal with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has condemned the negotiations. Netanyahu wants Iran’s nuclear program permanently dismantled, not delayed for 10 years. In a speech to Congress last month, the prime minister called on world leaders to demand more from Iran.

In his speech today, Obama insisted the deal would protect Israel and directed some of his comments to Netanyahu, saying, “This is the best option.” He also sent a warning to the negotiations’ critics in Congress not to add new sanctions to Iran before a final deal is inked.

Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., took a wait-and-see approach to a final deal, expressing doubts Iran would follow through on its concessions. Corker is the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and one of 47 senators who signed a letter to Iran warning against a deal that did not require congressional approval. In a statement today, Corker renewed calls for congressional review of any agreement.

“Rather than bypass Congress and head straight to the UN Security Council as planned, the administration first should seek the input of the American people,” Corker said. “There is growing bipartisan support for congressional review of the nuclear deal.”

Obama plans to invite members of the Gulf Cooperation Council—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait—to Camp David this spring to discuss regional security concerns.