Iran will have more money to back these guys. Palestinian banner. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock
The framework deal being worked out between Iran and the major world powers over the former’s nuclear program will enable Iran to increase its wealth and influence in the Middle East according to Hezbollah leader Sayyid Nasrallah. In comments to Syria’s Al-Ekhbariya TV republished by The Daily Star, Nasrallah said the deal would enable Iran to “stand by its allies… more than at any other time in history.”
He left no doubt what that would mean, specifically highlighting Iran’s ability to back the “Palestinian resistance,” a term used for terrorism. Nasrallah further claimed the deal, which provides substantial sanctions relief in exchange for concessions in Iran’s nuclear program, would make Iran “wealthier” and “more influential” in the region. And that’s considering that Iran already wields power in four different countries and sponsors global terrorism already.
Ironically, the US claimed on Monday that the deal, which is intended to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons, better contains Iran’s influence in the region. “I think one of the reasons we are so committed to seeing if we can prevent them from getting a nuclear weapon is if you can imagine how much power they’re able to project today, they would be able to project even more power if that was backed up by a nuclear weapon,” said US spokesperson Marie Harf.
Speaking in comments to reporters released by the State Department, Harf specifically noted Iran’s “destabilizing activities” in Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq.
Israel, meanwhile, also believes a nuclear weapon would give Iran more power, but also claims this nuclear deal will strengthen Iran.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in comments released by his office on Sunday, “The deal would greatly bolster Iran’s economy. It would give Iran thereby tremendous means to propel its aggression and terrorism throughout the Middle East.”
At the same time, noting the deal’s incomplete restrictions on Iranian nuclear infrastructure and research, Netanyahu said the deal “does not block Iran’s path to the bomb. Such a deal paves Iran’s path to the bomb.”
(By Joshua Spurlock, www.themideastupdate.com, April 6, 2015)