December 15, 2015 | Quote

U.N. Set To Close The File On Iranian Nukes

The United Nations' nuclear watchdog is set Tuesday to complete its probe of oil-rich Iran’s nuclear weapons program, moving a step closer to the lifting of international sanctions on the country. It comes as oil prices are near a decade low.

World powers, including the United States, reached an agreement with Iran in July to limit its nuclear activities to peaceful purposes in return for sanctions relief.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will consider a vote Tuesday on a resolution that closes the agency’s investigation of Iran’s nuclear weapons work. The vote is a necessary step in implementing the nuclear agreement, which stands to open Iran’s vast oil reserves to global markets.

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Mark Dubowitz, an expert on Iran sanctions at foreign policy group Foundation for Defense of Democracies who has criticized the nuclear agreement as too weak, says Tuesday’s vote will likely weaken it further.

“The international community has let Iran off the hook,” Dubowitz said. “Iran has learned that stonewalling and intransigence will be met with a feeble international response.”

Dubowitz was skeptical.

“Removing sanctions makes it much harder because we’re losing leverage to get Iran to comply,” he said.

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Issues:

International Organizations Iran