McDonough: Iran deal being implemented but concerns remain

McDonough says the Iran nuclear deal has gone into effect and Iran has started complying.

“Iran has begun preparations to remove two-thirds of its centrifuges,” and says moves will ensure it can “never, never procure plutonium for nuclear weapons.”

He says all pathways to a bomb have been cut off.

He says Iran has not received any additional sanctions relief under the nuclear deal and won’t until Tehran meets all the steps required.

If Iran violates the deal over the next decade, “we can snap sanctions back into place,” he says.

He notes that Washington is still concerned about Iran’s other activities, and calls on Tehran to release US captives, and help find Robert Levinson.

He says Iran is “destabilizing the region” and continues to spew threats to Israel’s and the US’s existence, and thus, the US will continue to bolster allies, including Israel.