Issues Under Fire: U.S. Congress Last Obstacle to Peace w/Iran as World Powers Begin to Move On

Issues Under Fire: U.S. Congress Last Obstacle to Peace w/Iran as World Powers Begin to Move On 

While the United States haggles with itself over the Iran-P5+1 nuclear deal, it appears other members of the negotiation process have already come to terms with Tehran. Russia announced they're lifting a self imposed ban on missile sales to Iran by making good on delivering the S-300 missile defense system.  

A sophisticated defense system capable of giving anyone thinking of air-strikes a reason to think again, this deal will surely piss the Israelis off since Tehran will now have, somewhat of a "Iron Dome" of its own. A deal that remained in limbo since 2010 when the U.N. clamped down on Iran with sanctions, Moscow has decided, now is the perfect time to green light that project. 

According to Russian FM Sergei Lavrov, " We believe at this stage, there is no longer need for this kind of embargo from the Russian side-it was unilateral and voluntary." Apparently, Russia has been satisfied with Tehran's presentation of evidence proving its nuclear program is for peace purposes and posses no existential threat to anyone in the region, let alone the world. From Russia's perspective, its time to make money, not war. Its time to move on. 

Right after the Iran-P5+1 talks ended in Lausanne, China announced a $2 billion deal to build a pipeline from Iran to Pakistan. Like the Russians, China too was apparently sufficiently impressed with Tehran's willingness to comply and cooperate with the international community. Before the ink was dry on the framework agreement, Pakistan and China were already working out a strategy to avoid U.S. sanctions that may be considered because of this move, to move on. 

'Were building it", "The Process has already started", Pakistan's Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said when referring to the "Peace Pipeline." In the face of U.S. pressure against the deal, Pakistan is gambling on international support for moving forward with Iran, to mitigate any strong arm measures the U.S. might take in retribution. Since China is a nuclear armed and economic powerhouse, Beijing is in a position to chart its own course and choose its own business associates and allies. 

Bottom line: No matter what you see or hear coming out of the United States or Israel over the next weeks and months related to the Iran-P5+1 talks, it'll be nothing more than political posturing to appear relevant to the process. At this point, it is inconsequential whether the U.S. agrees to a deal with Iran or not, because the international community has already decided to take a different path. From big ticket weapons sales to billion dollar energy projects, some are clearly preparing to move on. Podcast Below!