Iran's Powerful Guard Rejects Inspection Of Military Sites

[Purveyor]

Source: Associated Press

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — International nuclear inspectors will be barred from all Iranian military sites under any deal with world powers, a senior commander in the Revolutionary Guard said Sunday, setting up a possible standoff as negotiators try to reach a final deal.
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Gen. Hossein Salami, the Guard's deputy leader, told Iranian state television that allowing foreign inspection of military sites is tantamount to "selling out," raising the stakes as talks between Iran and the six-nation group are to resume April 22 in Vienna.

"We will respond with hot lead (bullets) to those who speak of it," Salami said. "Iran will not become a paradise for spies. We will not roll out the red carpet for the enemy."

Salami said allowing foreign inspectors to visit a military base would amount to "occupation," and expose "military and defense secrets."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/iran-guard-rejects-inspection-military-sites-063048778.html

[bananas]

1. Guess that's it then. No deal, sanctions restored and increased. nt

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

2. Bombs away

No, I'm not advocating it.

[Adrahil]

4. Me neither...

But it seems to me any deal would HAVE to include inspections. I'm surprised they went there this fast. More minor resistance would probably fracture the sanctions regime. Refusing inspections won't.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

5. It sure does look like war if this is true

1) Lift all sanctions upon signing
2) No access to military sites
3) Where is Sgt Hulka men? Men: BLOWN UP SIR!

[cynzke]

3. Well....

Now we are hearing from the Iran's right wing. We knew they have one.

[Xithras]

6. Ali Khamenei hasn't yet taken an official position on the deal. His support will be paramount.

The Revolutionary Guard operates under its own rules and command structure, and the vast majority of its actions originate from internal decisionmaking. Imagine U.S. generals getting to decide, on their own, which wars to start or which laws to enforce...that's how the IRG actually works.

But, at the end of the day, they do have to obey the direct orders of Khamenei. If he tells them to stand down, they will stand down. Disobeying the top ayatollah would destroy their legitimacy.

If the agreement is going to succeed, Khamenei has to get onboard. The fact that he isn't opposed to it is a hopeful sign, but lack of opposition won't get the IRG to stand down. They are going to need an actual order from the top guy to do so.

[moondust]

7. Reminiscent of Saddam. n/t