awn ". Will The Iran Deal Work?
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IF"r°IMM.I
Local leaders, politicians weigh in.
'A nuclear-armed Iran presents a serious danger to both
the U.S. and our allies, would destabilize an already fragile
region of the world and poses a direct threat to the secu-
rity Israel. That is why since coming to Congress in 2009,
I have supported and advocated for strong sanctions
against Iran in order to isolate Iran and help block its path
to a nuclear weapon.
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Sen. Gary
"Congress has a solemn duty to fully and vigorously
Peters (D-MI)
debate this issue, and I will be reviewing the agreement
in great detail to ensure that it includes the dismember-
ment of Iran's nuclear weapons-related infrastructure, full
disclosure from Iran on nuclear activities, and enhanced
oversight and inspections of Iranian facilities, as well as reinstatement of
sanctions if Iran backs out of the deal."
6
"This is a bad deal for America. From the beginning of this
debate, I have warned that President Obama's plan to offer
major concessions to Iran in exchange for little more than
a slowdown in their nuclear program places our nation and
our allies at risk. The president seems more focused on his
legacy than he is on negotiating a strong agreement.
"Rather than stepping away from this bad deal when he
had the chance, President Obama decided to double-down
Rep. Dave
on his belief that if we are just nice to the Iranians they
will give up on their nuclear ambitions. But the American
Trott (R-Troy)
people don't trust the Iranians and they don't trust this
deal. And in the coming weeks, this debate will move to
Congress where I will be working with my colleagues on both sides to stop
this misguided agreement and advance real solutions to end Iran's quest for
a nuclear bomb."
10 atomic bombs, which are based on high
or 90 percent enriched uranium. In prac-
tice, if the Iranians wanted to, they could
have already conducted a nuclear test.
• Iran already has the know-how and
infrastructure to manufacture nuclear
bombs, which on paper, will grow at a rate
of a few bombs every year. Over the last
few years, Israel has attempted to delay or
revert this ability through both covert and
overt means to little effect. Even the mili-
tary option would not change the current
situation completely; it would only delay
the Iranian nuclear program by two years
at most.
So what has changed?
• The agreement that was signed
between the powers and Iran delays the
Iranian nuclear program by 15 years, at
least, and maybe more. The deal was writ-
ten by nuclear experts and blocks every
path I know to the bomb. The Iranians
may be celebrating, but they have in fact
swallowed a very bitter pill, more so than
they would like to let on.
enrichment facility it built secretly at Fordo?
No. (Convert, not dismantle.)
• Has the Iranian regime been required to
halt its ongoing missile development? No.
• Has the Iranian regime been required to
halt research and development of the faster
centrifuges that will enable it to break out to
the bomb far more rapidly than is currently
the case? No. The deal specifically provides,
for instance, that Iran will commence test-
ing of the fast "IR-8 on single centrifuge
machines and its intermediate cascades" as
soon as the deal goes into effect, and will
"commence testing of up to 30 IR-6 and IR-8
centrifuges after 81/2 years."
• Has the Iranian regime been required to
submit to "anywhere, anytime" inspections
of any and all facilities suspected of engaging
in rogue nuclear-related activity? No. Instead,
the deal describes at considerable length a
very protracted process of advance warning
and "consultation" to resolve concerns.
• Has the international community
established procedures setting out how it
will respond to different classes of Iranian
Uzi Eden on page 36
"I am looking forward to reviewing the full scope and text of
the agreement. I have been very clear in previous statements
that I am extremely sensitive to the concerns many of my
constituents have shared with me regarding any nuclear agree-
ment with Iran.
"There must be no ambiguity regarding the United States'
readiness to enforce all options should Iran pursue develop-
ment of a nuclear weapon and this agreement must deny Iran
any and all pathways to a nuclear weapon while providing clear
Rep. Brenda
guidelines and enforcement mechanisms for removing any
L. Lawrence
threat of such a weapon against the U.S., Israel and our Euro-
(D-Southfield)
pean and Gulf allies.
"Though some of my colleagues in Congress have rushed
to judgment, either in criticism or praise, I reserve further
comment until I have had time to review this agreement in
its entirety and I have been able to discuss the profound implications with key
stakeholders and concerned constituents in my district. I am also scheduled to
travel to the region within a few weeks."
"Beyond the focus on the Iranian nuclear weapons program,
the P5+1 agreement signals a paradigm shift in international
relations regarding the Middle East and a new level of geo-
political cooperation among major powers that could have
impact well beyond the region itself.
"The current agreement, a decade in the making, marks the
first time in recent memory that diplomatic efforts have re-
placed or superseded military intervention in the Middle East
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to de-escalate an increase in weapons capability. The coordi-
Saeed A.
nation among the P5+1 is a new development of cooperation.
Khan, WSU
The effort brought together world powers not usually inclined
Near East and
to consensus together. It also marked the first time high-level
Asian Studies
negotiations have occurred between the U.S. and Iran since
diplomatic relations were severed over 35 years ago.
"Notwithstanding the uncertainties that accompany the
implementation and enforcement of any agreement, and the myriad issues
that remain unaddressed and unresolved, the Iran nuclear deal offers guarded
optimism for an updated level of American engagement in the Middle East, one
that recognizes Iran as an unavoidable, key regional presence, but also affirms
that regional stability was and is best attained with U.S. leverage and influence
over both Iran and Gulf States like Saudi Arabia, countries embroiled in a 30-
year cold war that has manifested as conflict in several area countries."
David Horovitz on page 36
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