The head of the Revolutionary Guards, General Mohammad Ali Jafari, has againgiven a powerful endorsementof Irans nuclear framework with the 5+1 Powers, declaring on Saturday, Some solutions have been found and it seems the Islamic Republics principles and red lines in technical aspects have been accepted on the side of the enemy.
Jafari initially came out in support of the April 2 framework on Tuesday, praising Irans nuclear negotiators. The statement ended days of sniping in Guards outlets about the framework, which set out the parameters for a comprehensive agreement to be reached by June 30.
The commander did draw attention on Saturday to Tehrans key challenge to the framework, There are still ambiguities regarding the manner of sanctions removal, which should be clarified as this could lead to disagreement.
However, Jafaris statement refrained from the criticism of the US which marked the Supreme Leaders public comments last Thursday. He toned down Iranian rhetoric which had proclaimed lies in an American fact sheet summarizing the framework.
The American fact sheet said US, European Union, and UN sanctions will be lifted upon International Atomic Energy Agency verification of Iranian compliance with a comprehensive agreement.
The Supreme Leader said on Thursday that sanctions must be terminated upon signature of the agreement. President Rouhani has taken an ambiguous position, saying the restrictions must end on the very first day of implementation of the terms.
Analyst Ali Vaez explains the dynamicbetween the private consensus reached in the framework and the tension of public presentation:
The parties have agreed to much more than they have divulged publicly .The issue of sanctions relief has been discussed in detail, and a mutually-accepted formula has been found. Now the exact schedule and implementation of that deal still needs to be discussed, but the formula is already there .
No one is back-tracking. They have different narratives, as the deal is not yet final.
Iran Oil Official Defies Problems: Lower Prices Will Bring Foreign Investment
Defying the negative impact on Iran of both lower oil prices and long-term decline in foreign investment, a senior Iranian officialhas declaredthat the declining prices are good news for development of oil fields.
Mehdi Hosseini of the Oil Ministry said the drop of 60% in global price since June gives rise to investment bids for the Iranian oil contracts in a well-paying region. He said the risk for investors is nothing, compared with other world countries.
Almost all foreign companies withdrew their investment in Irans oil and gas fields by 2011, before the onset of US-led sanctions which further restricted production and exports. The recent fall in the oil price has compounded economic problems, with the Government facing a $70 billion decline in revenues compared to 2012.