TEL AVIV – The U.S. and Western powers currently negotiating with Iran on its nuclear capability are willing to reach an agreement with Tehran at any price, warns a paper prepared by Saudi Arabia’s intelligence organizations.
The document, the contents of which were obtained by WND, was presented by the Saudis this week to all members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, an umbrella made up of all Arab states of the Persian Gulf, except for Iraq. The council consists of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
According to the Saudi intelligence document, the P5+1 powers of the U.S., United Kingdom, France, Germany, China and Russia attempting to reach a deal with Iran ahead of next month’s deadline have conceded Iran can maintain a civilian nuclear infrastructure, as had been widely assumed.
However, the document warns the red lines of the Western nations will still allow Iran enough nuclear material to assemble weapons within months if Tehran decides to abrogate the agreement at any time.
On the eve of midterm elections in the U.S., the Saudis advised members of the Gulf Cooperation Council to try to influence Congress to not approve an agreement that allows Iran to retain any kind of nuclear facility, even for civilian purposes, according to sources within the council.
The Saudis argued that Iran cannot be trusted, alleging that for years Tehran has cheated the community, perpetually hiding aspects of its program from the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA.
The Saudi concern comes as the IAEA this week released a monthly report documenting Iran has been complying with an interim nuclear agreement with the six world powers.
The IAEA inspectors reportedly certified that in keeping with its interim commitments, Iran has diluted more than 4,100 kg of uranium enriched to a fissile concentration of up to 2 percent down to the level of natural uranium.
The Saudi plan to influence Congress may not be very effective, if a recent New York Times expose is accurate.
The Times on Monday reported the Obama administration is seeking ways to cut Congress out of any nuclear deal with Iran by relieving sanctions via White House executive order.
The Times reported the Treasury Department already has determined Obama has the executive authority to “suspend” most sanctions on Iran without any congressional vote.
National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan called the Times article “preposterous” and “incorrect.”
“Why would we ever, ever, ever agree to lift all Iran-U.S. sanctions [in the first phase of a deal]?” Meehan asked. “It makes no sense.”
However, she left open the possibility of suspending some sanctions.
“It is too soon to say what mix of executive and legislative action there would be,” Meehan said.