Leaders: agreement must address Tehran’s threats

Australian Jewish leaders warned this week that any agreement between Iran and US should address Tehran’s key threats, after the countries reached a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Sunday to end the war launched by the US and Israel on February 28.

The MOU was digitally signed on Sunday by US President Donald Trump and Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, ahead of an in-person signing in Switzerland on Friday.

While the terms had not been officially released at time of print, Al Arabiya claimed to have obtained the 14-point draft, which includes a cessation of hostilities, including in Lebanon where Israel is battling Hezbollah; a halt to the US blockade of Iran; the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz; and allowing 60 days for negotiations on a final deal regarding Tehran’s nuclear program.

It is reported to include Tehran’s commitment not to develop or acquire N

, while the US would grant Iran sanctions relief for oil sales and refrain from imposing new sanctions.

A final deal would remove sanctions and enable a $US300 billion fund for investment and reconstruction for Iran.

Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council executive director Colin Rubenstein said the MOU appeared to be “a deal to make a deal”.

“However, reports suggesting the MOU will provide substantial short-term economic benefits for Tehran are concerning,” he said.

“Any sanctions relief for Iran should be strictly conditioned on Iran meeting clear, measurable and independently certifiable benchmarks, and be capable of being swiftly reversed in the event of non-compliance.”

Rubenstein said the talks must also address Iran’s ballistic missile program “and require an end to Tehran’s support for terrorist proxy groups that have destabilised the region for decades, as well as the need to prevent Iran from ever producing nuclear weapons – and it is not clear the MOU even puts these issues firmly on the agenda”.

“A durable agreement should also confront the situation in Lebanon, including Hezbollah’s repeated missile and drone attacks against Israel, while reaffirming Israel’s fundamental right to defend itself against the threats posed by Iran and its proxies,” he said.

“We are concerned by reports that the terms of the MOU may have the effect of stalling efforts to disarm Hezbollah. These are grounds for very serious concerns.

“While judgement must be reserved until the full details of the MOU are made public, we urge the US government to make the full terms available as soon as possible.”

Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said, “A credible pathway towards lasting regional peace and security are goals we all share. The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz would be a positive first step for regional stability and the global economy.

“But until the details of this agreement are known, caution is warranted.

“The key question is whether this agreement addresses the threats posed by the Iranian regime, or simply provides it with time, resources and legitimacy while leaving those threats intact.

“Ultimately, this agreement should be judged not by whether it reduces tensions today, but by whether it dismantles Iran’s nuclear program, curbs its ballistic missile capabilities and ends its support for terrorist proxies that have threatened Israel and destabilised the Middle East for decades. Only then can it create the conditions for lasting regional stability.”