Haass: ‘Real Danger’ With Iran Deal ‘Is If Iran Does Comply’

Council on Foreign Relations President Richard Haass argued that the “real danger” with the Iran nuclear deal “is if Iran does comply” on Monday’s “Morning Joe” on MSNBC.

Haass began by saying, “Well, we don’t yet know the final thing. You can — there’s a danger of wanting a deal too much. I think on both sides you’re seeing some last minute questioning. On Iranian side, the Ayatollah’s been out there making comments.”

He added that the Ayatollah, “doesn’t seem to be preparing the Iranian people for the kind of compromises they’d have to accept.

Haass concluded, “On the american side, what we’re beginning to see is greater pressure against some of the themes that we’re seeing in the deal, in particular what’s emerging, I think, is the single biggest issue, is not whether Iran violates the agreement, the question of do we get the kind access we need? But it’s what happens if they live up to the agreement? And the danger is if they live up the agreement, what happens after 10 or 15 years when aspects of the agreement expire. You’re beginning to see a growing number of people, and this is actually my biggest concern, the real danger is if Iran does comply. And then in 10 or 15 years, they’re very close to breakout. They have enormous capabilities, other countries in the region will probably then, perhaps want to follow suit. That is the worrisome thing.”

Follow Ian Hanchett on Twitter @IanHanchett

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