Obama's Message: Inspections Anytime, Anywhere; Agreement Based on Verification, Not Trust

Barack Obama, the President of the United States, on Tuesday, July 13, issued a special message on the occasion of the signing of the comprehensive nuclear agreement between the Islamic Republic and the 5+1 group, stating that under the comprehensive agreement, the International Atomic Energy Agency can inspect any Iranian site it wishes. Mr. Obama also explained in part of his message, which seemed to be directed at opponents of this agreement, especially Israel, that the comprehensive nuclear agreement is based not on trust in the Islamic Republic, but on verification by monitoring bodies including the International Atomic Energy Agency. However, Barack Obama also invited Congress to thoroughly review the agreement and engage in constructive discussions, threatening that he would veto any legislation that would prevent the implementation of the comprehensive agreement with Iran. The comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran faces opposition in the U.S. Congress, particularly among Republicans, who have repeatedly threatened not to approve or recognize it. Some potential presidential candidates in the U.S. have promised that if they come to power, they will not recognize this agreement. In his special message, Barack Obama also described any violation of this agreement in the future, whether by the U.S. or Iran or other involved parties, as 'irresponsible.' According to the U.S. President, the comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran prevents 'the spread of nuclear weapons in the Middle East.' In Mr. Obama's view, with the comprehensive nuclear agreement announced on Tuesday, which ended years and months of negotiations, 'all pathways' to nuclear weapons for the Islamic Republic have been closed. Barack Obama emphasized that even with this comprehensive agreement, all enmities and differences between Iran and the U.S., two long-standing adversaries, will not be resolved, and those sanctions related to human rights violations and other issues will remain in place. Under the comprehensive nuclear agreement that was finalized on Tuesday, the U.S. and its allies will gradually lift sanctions imposed against the Islamic Republic in exchange for Iran's cooperation in scaling back its nuclear activities. Nevertheless, all Western officials have repeatedly emphasized in the past few hours that if Iran violates the comprehensive agreement, sanctions will 'automatically' snap back to their original state within 65 days.