Perhaps it goes without saying, but entering an arms race means there is a race, and we are reminded that one’s neighbors may follow.  “Saudi Minister Won’t Rule Out Developing Nuclear Weapons if Iran Does,” Haaretz, November 17, 2020.

“UN atomic watchdog: Iran now operating Natanz centrifuges,” David Rising, AP, November 17, 2020.

“Iranian, British foreign ministers discuss JCPOA,” Tehran Times, November 17, 2020.

In the category of “read the details,” the FM claims that if the U.S. president will simply sign executive orders, Iran will immediately come back into the JCPOA.  But read the article, and remember all the other pronouncements by the Iranian government representatives for many, many months—that is not accurate.  At the least, the U.S. has a number of steps it has to take first, including paying billions to Iran for “sanctions relief.”  And Iran doesn’t have to do anything.  See “Iran’s Zarif says Biden can lift sanctions with ‘three executive orders’,” Reuters, November 17, 2020.

“Upcoming Terrorism Trial Is Opportunity To Challenge Status Quo Relations With Iran,” Alejo Vidal Quadras, NCRI, November 17, 2020.

“Why Is Iran Talking About Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles Now?,” Fabian Hinz, Radio Farda, November 17, 2020.

Another way of saying this is, will the new Administration look to Israel to encourage Iran to change?  See “Israel’s Success Against Iran Poses a Challenge for Biden,” Eli Lake, op-ed, Bloomberg, November 17, 2020.

“Chinese and Russian officials made clear at a 2019 area studies conference in Beijing, which one of us attended, that their nations share the goal of deposing the United States as global leader.”  (and “Tehran May Be Less Open Than Ever to Threats or Persuasion”).  See “China and Russia Have Iran’s Back,” Jamsheed Choksy and Carol Choksy, Foreign Affairs, November 17, 2020.

“Iran Denies Borders Change After Karabakh Peace Deal,” Radio Farda, November 17, 2020.

“Iran Starts Mass Producing 20-Minute COVID-19 Test,” IFP, November 17, 2020.