The Trump administration's new framework with Iran grants Tehran immediate oil sanctions waivers while postponing the most consequential nuclear questions for future negotiations, a gamble officials acknowledge carries risks because they expect Iran may not comply. "We come in with the full expectation that they will lie and they will cheat," one senior U.S.official said on a call with reporters Wednesday, arguing that any final agreement would require a verification and enforcement mechanism capable of detecting violations.The agreement, which establishes a 60-day negotiating period, rests on a bet that Iran can be deterred from violating its commitments through monitoring and enforcement.
Administration officials say any sanctions waivers can be clawed back if Iran fails to comply, while critics argue the U.S.is giving up leverage before the toughest nuclear issues have been resolved.The Trump administration's new framework with Iran grants Tehran immediate oil sanctions waivers .
(Ali Mohammadi/Bloomberg via Getty Images)TRUMP ADMINISTRATION UNVEILS SWEEPING TERMS OF PROPOSED IRAN AGREEMENTThe memorandum of understanding, unveiled by administration officials on a call with reporters Wednesday, says the Treasury Department will immediately issue waivers allowing Iran to export crude oil, petroleum products and derivatives, as well as access associated banking, insurance and transportation services. But the agreement does not immediately require Iran to dismantle its nuclear program, surrender its enriched uranium stockpile or end enrichment.Instead, the deal says the U.S.
and Iran will negotiate the "disposition" of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, with down-blending on site under International Atomic Energy Agency supervision identified as the minimum methodology.Administration officials defended that language as an early nuclear concession, saying the U.S.continues to push for more."Of course that's a flaw and we will push for more than that.
But the f...