When this letter appeared under this headline in the FT in April 2015 the author opined that a change of government in Iran would jeopardise the Iran nuclear treaty.
APRIL 9, 2015
Sir, The outline of an agreement to restrict and impose constraints on the expansion of Iran’s nuclear capability for 10 to 15 years has been greeted with dismay by some hardline Americans.
They would prefer that making weapons-grade uranium and plutonium was stopped completely and permanently, and existing stocks removed. This is impossible to sell to the Iranian regime and does not take into account the reality of the situation; namely that a change in government in Iran would potentially derail any agreement. A time limit of between 10 and 15 years reflects this realpolitik and any more stringent and “permanent” agreement would not be the better and more permanent solution that Israel for one would, ideally, like to see.
The important point is whether this deal can be adhered to for even 10 years and rigorous monitoring may make this limited ambition possible.
Christopher Bellew
London W6, UK
I was right about the uncertain duration of the deal because of a change in government. I just didn’t expect it to be the United States government.