by Stephen Lendman

Denigrating Iran is longstanding - taken to a higher level post-Vienna. It has nothing to do with its well-known peaceful nuclear program - with no military component or evidence it intends one.

It has everything to do with its sovereign independence, Washington wanting control of its government and hydrocarbon resources, as well as Israel wanting its main regional rival eliminated.

Expect relentless Iran bashing to continue until the nuclear deal is implemented or Congress rejects it (under heavy Israeli Lobby pressure) by a veto-proof margin.

The battle to undermine what was achieved is on. AIPAC plans a multi-million dollar Iran bashing campaign - intending to proliferate scare-mongering Big Lies to sway public opinion and enlist enough congressional support to undo years of hard work.

It formed a Citizens for a Nuclear Free Iran (CNFI) NGO - saying it's "dedicated to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapons capability" it deplores, doesn't want, and urges a world free from their destructive power.

CNFI's advisory board includes four former anti-Iranian US senators and one former House member wanting the nuclear deal undermined (Evan Bayh, Mark Begich, Mary Landrieu, Joe Lieberman and Shelly Berkley).

On board are pollster Mark Mellman, media consultant Mark Putnam and the digital firm Trilogy Interactive. Their mission is spreading Big Lies, including five "critical reasons" to kill the agreement.

"This deal has too many loopholes." False! It totally conforms to Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) provisions.

"This deal does not allow anytime, anywhere inspections." Nor should it. No nation would give foreign inspectors (especially US-controlled ones) free access to its military bases and other sensitive areas unrelated to its nuclear program.

America and Israel prohibit foreign inspections anywhere for any reason, including their nuclear facilities.

"The deal would fuel a Middle East nuclear arms face, making the world less safe." False! It does the opposite.

"Even if Iran's leaders abide by this agreement, the regime will be dangerously close to having nuclear weapons."

False! No evidence suggests an Iranian nuclear weapons development program. Plenty shows the opposite.

"This deal allows Iran to continue developing and to build intercontinental ballistic missiles."

False! According to IHS Jane's Defence Weekly: "Claims that Iran is preparing to test an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) are based on incorrect analysis of a satellite image showing the new facility at the Khomeini Space Centre in Semnan province."

The facility still under construction is intended for "the Simorgh satellite launch vehicle (SLV) that Iran needs to lift heavier payloads into orbit." Last year, Tehran's Space Agency announced plans for three satellite launches.

"While the Simorgh is theoretically capable of ICBM ranges, it cannot deliver an effective warhead over such distances," Jane’s explained.

CNFI's so-called "critical reasons" don't wash. They're fear-mongering Big Lies to discredit legitimate Iranian activities.

Tehran sacrificed plenty to have nuclear-related sanctions lifted and regain control of its illegally frozen assets.

CNFI spokesman Patrick Dorton said TV and online campaigning is planned for major US markets. An unnamed person briefed on what's coming indicated 30 - 40 states will be targeted.

Republicans are virtually in lockstep against the nuclear deal. Dorton urged Democrats to join them. AIPAC executive director Howard Kohr told staff members to cancel summer vacation plans. Iran bashing takes precedence.

Expect all stops pulled out in the weeks ahead featuring distortions, misinformation, Big Lies and congressional House and Senate members favoring the agreement threatened with AIPAC supporting opponents when they're up for reelection.

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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks World War III".

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

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