When the U.S.-led P5+1 group of nations agreed last week to extend the deadline for talks with Iran over its nuclear program, while keeping in place sanctions relief, some observers considered it a failure of diplomacy.
But others welcomed it as an important step toward the goal of ensuring Iran is prevented from developing nuclear weapons.
Canada commended the P5+1 – the United States, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia – for its “earnest efforts,” but said it would not be easing its sanctions, which will remain “tough and in full force.”
“Effective sanctions have brought the regime to present a more moderate front and open the door to negotiations. [This] deal cannot be abused or undermined by deception. The Iranian people deserve the freedom and prosperity that they have been denied for too long by the regime’s nuclear ambitions. Canadian sanctions will remain tough and in full force,” said a statement by Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird.
The Liberals said developments were “an important first step toward addressing our concerns with Iran’s nuclear program.
“Our objective remains a successful comprehensive agreement that ensures that Iran cannot acquire a nuclear weapon. The deal reached last night in Geneva is a positive first step, but it requires continued vigilance and further concrete, verifiable measures,” the party’s foreign affairs critic, Marc Garneau, said Nov. 24.
U.S. President Barack Obama hailed the deal. “For the first time in nearly a decade, we have halted the progress of the Iranian nuclear program, and key parts of the program will be rolled back.” The deal “cut[s] off Iran’s most likely paths to a bomb” and “creates time and space” to negotiate a comprehensive agreement, he said.
The Jewish community was also divided over the deal. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), called “this seven-month deadline and sanctions relief extension… the latest in a series of failed diplomatic exchanges with Iran spanning a decade.
“Time and again, the Islamic Republic has used these overtures to block inspections, delay further sanctions, and accelerate the advancement of its nuclear capabilities,” said CIJA CEO Shimon Fogel.
“Despite the P5+1 floating concessions on virtually every aspect of the Iranian nuclear program, the regime has remained uncompromising in its demands. The extension of talks within this dynamic represent a dangerous failure of the diplomatic process,” he said. He added that the international community must “redouble its efforts” to “prevent Iranian nuclear weapons development” and to maintain sanctions “to give negotiations a chance of success.”
Over the years, Canada has implemented tough measures against Iran aimed at hampering its nuclear program and weakening its economy. In 2012, it declared Iran a state sponsor of terror, and in September of that year, it suspended relations and closed its embassy in Tehran.
Canada’s sanctions go beyond those imposed by the UN Security Council and Canada’s allies. In November 2013, the P5+1 eased sanctions as part of a joint plan negotiated with Iran. It requires Iran to suspend or freeze some elements of its nuclear program while affording the country billions in sanctions relief, which helped spur a moderate economic recovery.
Arie Raif is happy talks with Iran are continuing and believes Canada should re-open its embassy. “Canada, by closing its embassy, is making a mistake. You have to negotiate with your enemies,” he said. “We don’t know how the deal will work out in June or July of next year.”
Raif, an ex-Israeli diplomat now living in Toronto, said the P5+1 can’t abandon talks. “It is too late to attack Iran. Right now, you have to negotiate, and Obama is doing the right thing.” As the economic situation deteriorates, thanks largely to an OPEC-induced drop in oil prices, and fearing growing support for internal opposition, Iran will be compelled to make a deal, he said.
Former justice minister Irwin Cotler offered a different perspective. The Mount Royal Liberal MP backs Canada’s retention of sanctions. He said there’s a danger Iran will continue to develop its nuclear program and “stall with impunity.”
It has refused to comply with international requests to disclose past nuclearization activities. “If they do not disclose what they’ve done in the past, how can you trust them in the future?” he asked.
Cotler is worried Iran will use the next few months to continue its enrichment and avoid detection. A nuclear-armed Iran will be even less likely to conform to international norms on human rights, he said.