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Press Conference
Iran Nuclear Deal

You are the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department.  For class on April 20 and April 27, you will prepare and deliver a press conference announcing a nuclear deal with Iran.  You will also act as a journalist, asking questions about the announcement, when classmates are delivering their announcements.

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For April 20, prepare a 500-word draft statement (or "topper"), announcing the deal, some details, and explaining why this is a diplomatic victory.  Also, prepare three challenging questions (not answers, just questions) that a journalist critical of the deal might ask.  During class on April 20, you will practice with classmates to revise your statement, questions, and prepare possible answers to your questions and others that might be asked.

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The details of this fictional deal are below:

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The parties to the deal are Iran, the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Russia.  The deal was signed on April 26, 2022.  The deal lasts for 15 years.

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As part of the deal, for the next 15 years, Iran will: 

  • Reduce its stockpile of enriched uranium to levels that prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon for at least one year.

  • Reduce its centrifuges and other enrichment facilities to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon for at least one year.

  • Excess uranium will be sold to signing countries, and excess centrifuges will be put in storage.

  • Be allowed to research uranium for power generation purposes only.

  • Allow regular and unhindered monitoring of this agreement by the International Atomic Energy Administration (IAEA), through cameras and inspectors.

As part of the deal, for the next 15 years, the other signing countries will:

  • Terminate United Nations sanctions against purchase of Iranian oil.

  • Release the approximately $100 billion dollars in accounts owned by Iran that is frozen in U.S. and other foreign banks.

  • Allow foreign companies to invest in Iranian oil and gas, automobiles, hotels, and other companies.

  • Allow Iran to trade with the rest of the world and allow banks to transfer money in any currency throughout the world.

If Iran breaks any part of the deal, as determined by the IAEA, all the sanctions come back automatically.

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The deal DOES NOT address other Iranian activities, other than the nuclear program.

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Hint:  Your "topper" will not be long enough to list all of these items.  You should assume that a "fact sheet" of the deal has already been distributed to the press.  Instead, focus on the overall goals and how this deal fulfills the national security interests of the United States. 

 

For class on April 27, you will deliver your statement, with other students acting as journalists.  You will also perform as a journalist for other classmates.  You should expect to ask and answer at least three questions, but perhaps more, during class.

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To research this assignment, you should draw on the discussion on Iran in class on April 6, the textbook, and your own research.  This assignment cannot be made up, and is worth 15 points of your grade.  If you think you will miss class, you must contact me in advance.

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