As the world\u2019s largest kosher food certification agency, we at the Orthodox Union know a few things about inspection programs. Our \u201cOU\u201d logo is on nearly one million food products made in more than 90 countries, and some age-old Jewish rules about kosher supervision are relevant to the current debate over the proposed Iran nuclear deal.<\/p>\n
For purposes of this discussion, let\u2019s take President Obama at his word and assume a negotiated deal with Iran along the lines of the framework announced last week is the best avenue to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. In advocating for the deal, Obama said it will provide \u201cvigorous, unprecedented inspections and we [will] know at every point along their nuclear chain exactly what they\u2019re doing … for 20 years … and … even if they wanted to cheat … we would have insights into their program we\u2019ve never had before.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yet, when New York Times columnist Tom Friedman asked whether IAEA inspectors will be able to go anywhere in Iran anytime to ensure compliance, the president replied that \u201cIran could object\u201d to an inspection and it would be left to \u201csome sort of international mechanism\u201d to determine whether Iran\u2019s objection stands or the inspection goes ahead, and belatedly for certain.<\/p>\n