TEHRAN(Bazaar) – Professor Frank N. von Hippel, former assistant director for national security in the White House Office of Science and Technology, says there will be a battle in Congress, but I hope the JCPOA will survive that gauntlet as it did when the Obama Administration first submitted to Congress.
He adds “It survived by two votes in the Senate. I was involved myself in persuading two Senators.”
Following is the text of the Bazaar interview with Professor Frank N. von Hippel.
Bazaar: A senior official involved in the talks says the views are so close that an agreement on reviving the JCPOA could be reached within the next 48 hours. What is your assessment?
Frank N. von Hippe: I have heard the same. I hope it is true.
Bazaar: While there is optimism about an imminent agreement, Iran has stated that nothing special has happened in the Vienna talks over the past few days and that everything still depends on a political decision by Washington. The important issue seems to be the removal of the IRGC from the US terrorist list, which has been confirmed by some news outlets. Based on this, is the agreement imminent?
Frank N. von Hippe: I had not heard that. Describing a military organization as “terrorist” is in part an objective and in part a political decision. I think the militaries of many of the governments involved in the JCPOA have done terrible things that could earn the label “terrorist.” I think the Trump Administration was deliberately creating an obstacle to the US reentry to the JCPOA by describing the IRGC as” terrorist.” Since many Americans will agree with that description, it creates a difficult political situation for the Biden Administration. I hope it can find a way through or around this barrier. Or the Government of Iran could decide to withdraw that condition. I know that too would require political courage for the greater good.
Bazaar: The Wall Street Journal reports that the Russian envoy to the Vienna talks Mikhail Ulyanov has told the European Union that Moscow wants guarantees only in the discussion of the JCPOA nuclear projects, and nothing more. Accordingly, Russia has officially withdrawn from its previous position. What is your assessment?
Frank N. von Hippe: I have heard that as well. If it is true, it is very good news.
Bazaar: What will be the reaction of JCPOA's opponents to a possible agreement with Iran, and what possible measures may be taken in Congress to neutralize the lifting of sanctions on Iran?
Frank N. von Hippe: There will be a battle in Congress, but I hope the JCPOA will survive that gauntlet as it did when the Obama Administration first submitted to Congress. It survived by two votes in the Senate. I was involved myself in persuading two Senators.
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