New York Times Editorial, "Impasse Over Iran’s Nuclear Program": What a Surprise!

In an editorial entitled "Impasse Over Iran’s Nuclear Program," The New York Times informs us that negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 over Iran's nuclear program have reached a "logjam." Although the Times take the position that "The fault lies mainly with Iran," its editorial board also makes certain to blame Israel:

"The biggest stumbling block has been and remains how much enriched uranium Iran would be allowed to continue producing. Israel and its hard-line allies in Congress want to end the enriched uranium program altogether. Mr. Obama and the other big powers have said that Iran can keep a limited program for research purposes."

Why would Israel "want to end the enriched uranium program altogether"? Needless to say, the Times doesn't mention Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei's July 24, 2014 declaration that "The only rem­edy is the destruc­tion of Israel."

Acknowledging that Iran's refusal "to budge on the centrifuges invites doubts about its claims to not want a nuclear weapon," the Times editorial naively concludes:

"Now Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, must decide if he has the courage to defy the forces in his country who will always see America as an enemy and let his negotiators bring a deal to a close. That would allow sanctions to be lifted and unfetter Iran to grow economically, shed its diplomatic isolation and, ideally, become a more constructive participant in regional affairs."

Yeah, right. Given the effective dismantling by the Obama administration of the sanctions regime in order to extend negotiations until November 24, Kerry's request that Iran join the coalition fighting ISIS, and Iran's recent joint naval exercises with China, Khamenei is feeling no pressure whatsoever to reach a deal.

Iran's first nuclear weapon? It's only a matter of time, unless Israel decides to act on its own.