Here we are, facing another “D Day”…Deadline Day.  Once again, the self-imposed deadline established by the P5+1 (US, UK, France, Russia, China, and Germany) and Iran is upon us.  As I write this, negotiators are still working to forge a deal meant to put clamps on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.  Their success is not only difficult to predict, but is also difficult to define.

World leaders have spent almost 2 years globetrotting in an attempt to come to an agreement.  Considering the entourage of State Department personnel, along with their security details and service teams, each nation has likely spent hundreds of millions (if not billions) of dollars on these talks.  Makes me wonder what legitimate needs have been ignored while spending unbelievable sums on “negotiations” that seem to be nothing but a farce.  Here’s why I say that:

Iran is a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, thus committed to the monitoring of nuclear facilities by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).  Yet, Iran has repeatedly refused inspectors access to nuclear facilities, and (with the assistance of Russia) blatantly and secretly built nuclear facilities that were discovered only by means of aggressive intelligence work by the US, Israel and other western nations.  Furthermore, Iran has no explanation for years of research dedicated to the development of nuclear weapons and the means to deploy them.

One of the remaining sticking points in negotiations is relief from sanctions the United Nations have put in place to contain Iran’s nuclear ambitions.  The “framework deal” made in April was not defined in terms of sanction relief.  Thus, the US trumpeted success in initial “agreement” to gradual relief of sanctions, based on Iran’s cooperation.  However, on May 20, Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei made it clear that inspection of military facilities were ruled out.  They will not allow inspections.

But, let’s suppose for a moment that Iran agrees to those inspections.  They have committed to inspections before, but then refused access to IAEA inspectors…all the while, building additional nuclear facilities!  What makes world leaders think the Iranians are being honest now?

The current sanctions (which have already been greatly reduced without Iran doing anything) are primarily oil embargoes and economic sanctions that make it difficult for Iran to pump money into nuclear research, facilities, and weaponry.  Imagine what will happen if sanctions are lifted, Iran begins exporting oil all over the world and money begins pouring into the coffers of the Ayatollah’s pet project (nuclear weapons)!

However, the most compelling objection to a nuclear deal is the Shia eschatology that dominates Iranian decision-making.  The Ayatollah is Iran’s Supreme Leader, and believes Allah has called him specifically to bring about the coming of the Islamic messiah, the Mahdi.  In order to hasten the messiah’s coming, chaos must ensue and the infidels must be destroyed.  Iran considers Israel “the little Satan” and the United States “the great Satan.”  Who do you suppose they are “called” to destroy!

My question:  how do you negotiate with an evil regime committed, in the name of their god, to wipe Israel off the face of the earth (then come after the US)?  Furthermore, Islamic theology allows (and even encourages) deception if it is “in the cause of Allah.”  Thus, Iranian leaders have no qualms about lying!  They have done it before, and will do it again…because they are “called” to do so by their god!

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been severely criticized for calling the nuclear agreement a “bad deal” without offering other alternatives.  His alternatives have been voiced, but ignored, and I repeat them here:

• Walk away from the “negotiations.” Iran needs a deal much worse than the other nations involved in negotiations.  The problem: the US administration seems so hungry for a “legacy deal” that they will carve away at all the red lines necessary for any legitimate deal.
• Continue with sanctions, and strengthen them if necessary, until Iran agrees to either give up its nuclear ambitions and close its nuclear facilities, or allows IAEA inspectors permanent, unobstructed access.
• Ship all currently enriched uranium out of the country…to somewhere other than Russia or China.

Is there any chance at all that a nuclear deal will be averted?  Frankly, I doubt it.  I anticipate the deadline to be extended once again, continuing to give Iran time to further develop nuclear plans, and time for the US to cave still further on essential red lines.

However, our God is bigger than anything that will happen in the nuclear talks!  Christians should pray fervently for the Lord to intervene in the talks.  God is able…and He could turn the negotiations in any direction He chooses.  Should a nuclear deal be made, He is still God, and still in control!

O Israel, trust the Lord!
    He is your helper and your shield.
O priests, descendants of Aaron, trust the Lord!
    He is your helper and your shield.
All you who fear the Lord, trust the Lord!
    He is your helper and your shield.

The Lord remembers us and will bless us.
    He will bless the people of Israel
    and bless the priests, the descendants of Aaron.
He will bless those who fear the Lord,
    both great and lowly.
~Psalm 115:9-13

Keep praying, Prayer Warriors!