WHY ARE IRANIANS CELEBRATING?

Why are Iranians celebrating?  Why are we seeing images of them dancing in the streets?

Didn\’t President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry tell us that they had struck a deal which severely curtails Iran\’s nuclear program and forces them to backtrack on its key parts?  Weren\’t we told that this will ensure Iran does not go forward with its nuclear ambitions for years and years?

That would be an embarrassment to Iran.  A public admonishment before the rest of the world.  A reason to put its tail between its legs like a defeated dog.  You don\’t have joyous street demonstratons when that happens.

So what do they think they know about this “deal” that Mr. Obama and Mr, Kerry are not saying?

Well, to find out, let\’s see what FARS – Iran\’s state run news organ – has to say about it.

You can read the entire FARS explanation of this deal by clicking here.  But let me show you a few key excerpts:

Rouhani Stresses Removal of All Sanctions on 1st Day of Final Deal Implementation

 

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran\’s President Hassan Rouhani underlined on Friday that all the UN and economic, financial and banking sanctions against Iran will be annuled the moment a final nuclear deal between Iran and the six world powers goes into effect.

 

In a public address on the state-run TV on Friday, President Rouhani reminded his election campaign slogan that he would keep Iran\’s nuclear industry running and remove the sanctions against the country, and said the Iranian nation is now closer to this goal more than ever.

 

“The Group 5+1 (the US, Britain, France, Russia and China plus Germany) has accepted in the framework understanding attained on Thursday night that Iran will have domestic enrichment on its soil; and this means that those who stated that Iran\’s enrichment is a threat to the region and the world have admitted today that enrichment in Iran is no threat to anyone,” said President Rouhani.

 

“On the basis of this framework, all sanctions in financial, economic and banking sectors as well as all (UN Security Council) sanctions resolutions against Iran will be canceled on the very first day of the implementation of the deal, and new cooperation in both nuclear and other sectors will start with the world on the same day,” the Iranian President reiterated.

 

Rouhahi said his administration proved that sanctions, threats and pressures have failed to produce results, reiterating that Iran has always offered the West to resolve problems through talks.

 

Rejecting the western statements that Tehran joined the nuclear negotiations only under tough sanctions, President Rouhani underscored that Iran would never surrender to the powers and their bullying, but it would respect anyone who would treat it with honor and respect.

Translation:  Rouhani has told the Iranians that all the sanctions will be lifted and its nuclear enrichment program will remain intact (he also says it will only be used for peaceful purposes – something I doubt anyone, Iranian or non-Iranian believes).

Rouhani also indicated that he has defeated Obama, Kerry and their European partners at the negotiating table, and that Iran did not “surrender to the powers and their bullying”.

Funny:  that\’s not the way Obama and Kerry put it.

So what we have here, right from the outset, is Iran telling its people that, in the immortal words of Vinnie Gambini, “Everything that guy just said is bullshit”. 

I\’m no great diplomat or negotiator.  But I know enough to understand that you don\’t have a deal unless both parties agree to the same terms.  Does it look like both parties have agreed to the same terms here?

Now you know why Iranians are celebrating.  And why you shouldn\’t be.