NOVANEWS
“There are more draconian steps that I’m afraid they [Israeli officials] would try to take to provoke a war between the United States and Iran,” Mark Dankof told Press TV on Monday.
He made the remarks after Tehran announced that it began implementing the six-month agreement struck with six world powers last November in Geneva.
The International Atomic Energy Agency also confirmed that the accord went into effect on Monday.
The United States and the European Union said that they were suspending certain sanctions for six months as part of the deal.
“In reciprocation for Iran’s concrete actions, the United States and its P5+1 partners — the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, and China — as well as the European Union will today follow through on our commitment to begin to provide the modest relief agreed to with Iran,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said.
“At the same time, we will continue our aggressive enforcement of the sanctions measures that will remain in place throughout this six-month period,” Carney added.
US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Secretary of State John Kerry approved a waiver to ease economic sanctions against Iran.
“Secretary Kerry’s preliminary beginning for lifting sanctions against Iran is a very hopeful sign in response to Iran’s preliminary following through on Geneva,” Dankof said. “This is a very hopeful sign.”
The Obama administration sanctions relief measure comes despite some efforts in Congress to enforce a sanctions bill if Iran breaks the nuclear agreement.
US President Barack Obama threatened to veto the legislation if it passes Congress.
Several Israeli lobby groups including the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) are now pushing lawmakers to pass legislation to enact new sanctions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had described the nuclear deal as a “historic mistake.”
