Was the Iran Nuclear Deal more about finding a means for lifting sanctions than curbing their nuclear production? Was it more of a corporate decision in order to profit on the economy of Iran while unfreezing potentially $100 billion in assets, which could be used to pay for the greed of corporate products? Maybe it was to legalize all the ‘waivers’ that had been extended despite the sanctions!
The US had already apparently granted some 296 waivers, allowing various business to operate, trade, and service in Iran – prior to the Iran Nuclear Deal. All granted during the Obama regime.
Waivers were given to a host of biomedical, agriculture, and medical device companies, but they were also given to institutions like Harvard, New York University, HSBC, BNP Paribas, GE, genetics companies, etc…
BNP was cited for illegally doing business with Iran, Sudan and Cuba despite sanctions in place. They were fined nearly $9 billion by the US, and then issued a waiver – to do business in Iran. BNP is also the largest nuclear investor bank in the world with $13.5 billion on the line.
Since the Iran Nuclear Deal became effective, the share price of BNP Paribas has risen 67%.
So what is the point of sanctions if waivers are the norm?
And who is denied a waiver? How much does it cost to buy a waiver? Where is the waiver money deposited, because I don’t see it as a line item under the Federal Revenue Budget?
Nothing is ever as it seems, and the Iran Deal is no exception.
Playing with the sanctions in Iran has been rather self fulfilling as periodically specific sanctions were lifted. In 2000, sanctions were lifted on ‘caviar and carpets’, obviously to accommodate the appetite of the uber wealthy.
With a failed attempt to colonize Ukraine, was Iran the next largest prospect? Cuba?
Iran is much more westernized than other Middle Eastern countries. The Burqua is not required. Luxury brands from the EU and US are popular. They have copycat markets for burgers, pizza, and even Starbucks. Victoria Secrets, cigarettes, Dell and Apple products are everywhere.
Legalizing what has already been done under the table is only a part of the agenda.
Israel. Israel and Iran despise each other. Lifting the sanctions releases a pressure valve ramping up Israel’s defensive character. The Iran Deal also sends a message to Israel that – you aren’t important, business is – and isolates Israel from virtually the rest of the world given the P5+1 signed off on the New Deal. P5+1 is Russia, China, UK, US, and France, the +1 is Germany, an after thought… why not make it the P6? Too easy.
The notion that scrapping the Iran deal will somehow spur Iran to greater nuclear capacity is rather naïve. Iran has yet to be transparent, we really don’t know – or aren’t saying – their true nuclear capabilities. Despite the IAEA politely asking for pretty please permission to see all of Iran’s facilities, the request is not always granted. This same IAEA organization claims they will conduct ‘oversight’ to maintain that Iran stays within the confines of the Iran Nuclear Deal… But of course, how can they possibly when they don’t even know where all the sites exist and aren’t allowed access?
Allegations about facilities have abounded, and sometimes shelved. When denied access, the IAEA simply shrugs. With a budget of roughly ½ billion euros, what exactly do they do and where does their money come from? Apparently the revenue is generated via ‘contributions from member states – perhaps why Germany was made a quasi member, to ante up. And the bulk of expenses are for staff, travel and consultants.
According to staff at the IAEA, their inspectors don’t have the expertise or knowledge to properly inspect and identify whether a machine is being utilized for military capabilities or not! Hence they require outside consultants. So why have the IAEA if outside consultants can perform the job at 1/20th of the cost?
The IAEA doesn’t have a clean bill of health in their performance having been called out for improper samplings and techniques in Syria. Even Democrat Feinstein has stated that the IAEA needs to be substantially overhauled if we are going to rely on their oversight.
Littered with oddities from the beginning, the Iran Nuclear Deal really had little to do with curtailing Iran’s nuclear capabilities and more to do with opening a floodgate for Corporate wealth – and putting Israel on notice.