An alarming report that Iran will be allowed to use its own inspectors to investigate a site where it may developing nuclear arms is like giving the Middle East nation "a hall pass," retired Gen. Michael Hayden, former director of the CIA and NSA, tells
Newsmax TV.
"We have given up making the Iranians come clean about the previous military dimensions of their [nuclear] program. We know they had one, they've lied about it. We're giving them a hall pass on this and moving on," Hayden said Wednesday to John Bachman on "Newsmax Now."
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According to a document seen by The Associated Press, Iran's ability to inspect the Parchin nuclear site is part of a secret agreement hammered out with the International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA], the United Nations agency that normally carries out such inspections.
The pact is believed to be one of the controversial secret "side agreements" that was made in addition to the provisions in the nuclear limitations deal agreed upon between Iran and the United States and five world powers.
Under the historic deal to scale back Iran's nuclear program, financial sanctions imposed by the U.S., the European Union, and United Nations will be lifted. In return, Iran is agreeing to lengthy curbs on its nuclear program, which many believe aims at building a nuclear bomb.
In a separate interview with J.D. Hayworth on Newsmax Prime, Hayden said he believes the IAEA is "going to try to make this as true an inspection as possible."
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"But … how far are we going to bend over to get Iranian agreement to do something they have already previously promised to do? This is about what's called PMD's, the possible military dimensions of the program," he said.
"We know there were military dimensions in the past and the Iranians have consistently lied about those military dimensions. In the Air Force, we called this a pencil-whipping exercise. This is going to get a check in the box so that we can then move forward looking ahead with regard to the agreement.
"In other words, this arrangement is letting the Iranians off the hook about coming clean on the previous military dimensions of their program."
The side deal will likely increase pressure from opponents of the Iran deal before a Senate vote next month. If the resolution for the deal passes and President Barack Obama vetoes it, opponents would need a two-thirds majority to override it.