Four days after a framework agreement was announced in Lausanne Switzerland, sharp disagreements about key details have emerged, including diametrically opposed narratives between Iran and the US about the lifting of economic and political sanctions. Iranian officials are saying the agreement called for all sanctions to be lifted immediately, whereas the White House is saying the sanctions will be “phased out” only gradually in response to demonstrated Iranian compliance with the terms of the agreement. The US also insists on a mechanism to re-instate sanctions should Iran violate any of the terms, a clause Iran flatly rejects and Russia is also opposed to unless it is done through consultations at the UN Security Council. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also dismissed fears of a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, solemnly declaring that “There are no reasons for an arms race (because) Iran will be the most checked and inspected country.” Read More
