!Filet the
Guest Column
Iran Nuclear Deal
Is The Best Option
C
onsideration of the Iran nuclear
agreement represents one of the
most challenging and crucial
foreign policy decisions for me during 33
years in Congress. Iran represents a real
danger — exponentially more so if it has a
nuclear weapon.
After earlier efforts to negotiate by
the Bush administration failed and Iran
dramatically increased its number of
centrifuges and nuclear material, it was
critical that Iran's nuclear program not
result in Iran's possession of
a nuclear weapon. I actively
participated in increas-
ing U.S. sanctions against
Iran. These sanctions were
strengthened by their
multi-lateral structure and
broad adoption, and they
helped produce the frame-
work agreement and the
Joint Comprehensive Plan
of Action (JCPOA).
Currently, Iran is only
two months away from the
ability to produce enough
material for one nuclear weapon. The
restrictions in the agreement provide the
world with a year to respond if Iran broke
out of the agreement and moved toward
acquiring the material for a bomb.
The agreement requires Iran to reduce
its stockpile of enriched uranium by 97
percent and refrain from enrichment
above a 3.67 percent level for 15 years. It
cuts the number of installed centrifuges
allowed by two-thirds while retaining only
older model centrifuges.
The agreement also requires Iran to
render its heavy water reactor inoperable,
denying them a source of weapon-grade
plutonium. It requires Iran to convert
the Fordow enrichment facility into a
technology center and places limits on
research and development. It allows the
International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) to monitor the uranium supply
chain for at least two decades.
Requirements are meaningless if they
are not enforced and if violations can-
not be detected. The JCPOA includes
enhanced resources for the IAEA, includ-
ing over 100 inspectors, and is buttressed
by major U.S. and EU surveillance capa-
bilities. As to all declared sites (those
with known nuclear programs), there is
continuous access. If there is a suspicion
of activities of Iran's obligations at any
other location, the standard is to gain
access with 24 hours' notice. If there is a
dispute about access, there is a process
that provides access within 24 days. In
our many briefings, Energy Secretary
from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Moniz, a respected nuclear physicist, has
We must also act to bolster the security
been persuasive that any activities involv-
of our ally Israel. We should promptly
ing nuclear materials would leave traces
conclude the next 10-year Memorandum
detectable for at least that long.
of Understanding on Foreign Military
Effective enforcement also requires that Financing and accelerate the co-develop-
the multi-lateral sanctions currently in
ment by the U.S. and Israel of the Arrow-3
place can be quickly reinstated if Iran vio-
and David's Sling missile defense systems
lates the agreement. The JCPOA contains
and increase funding for Israel's lifesaving
a method to do so at the United Nations
missile defense: the successful Iron Dome
that could not by stymied by a veto from
system.
China or Russia.
Each member of Congress will bring
In my discussions with oppo-
both private and public life experiences to
nents of the agreement, they
address this difficult issue.
have urged that Iran may well
I, along with my brother and late sister
not cheat the first 10 or 15 years
when we were in our teens, experienced
because Iran's main purpose is to with our parents great personal joy when
become the dominant power in
President Truman announced U.S. recog-
the Middle East and that sanc-
nition of Israel. It was something that we
could take hold of amidst the unfolding
tions relief during this period
horrors of the years before. Israel's securi-
would provide Iran the funds to
ty has and always will be of critical impor-
fmance further terrorist actions.
tance to me and our country. I believe that
In this regard, the U.S. retains
Israel, the region and the world are far
its rights to take a full range of
more secure if Iran does not move toward
actions to prevent shipments of
possession of a nuclear weapon. I believe
arms or missiles to Hezbollah or
the agreement is the best way to achieve
other terrorist groups as it does
that.
to take other actions against aggressions
In my view, the only anchors in public
elsewhere, unrestricted by the JCPOA.
life are to dig deeply into the facts and
It is also argued that if the agreement
consult broadly and then to say what you
is rejected by the Congress, there would
believe.
remain sufficient sanctions to deter Iran
from a nuclear weapon and they could be
U.S. Rep. Sander Levin is from Michigan's 9th
increased. The much greater likelihood is
Congressional District with offices in Roseville.
that the sanctions regime would quickly
fall apart. Sanctions likely
would not be continued
VIEW FROM
even by our closest allies
THE MIDEAST
and the U.S. would be
isolated trying to enforce
WATCHING THE WAR BETWEEN ISIS
our unilateral sanctions
as to Iran's banking and
AND HEZBOLLAH IS LIKE WATCHING A
oil sectors.
BATTLE BETWEEN THE SHARKS AND
If Iran broke out of the
THE PIRANHAS .. .
agreement and proceeded
to build a nuclear weap-
on, the U.S. and its allies
would retain all options
to stop it, including the
military option. If the U.S.
rejects the agreement,
support from even our
best allies if we move to
the military option would
be less likely. As a result,
the threat of military
action would become less
effective a deterrent to
Iran's building a nuclear
bomb. That is another
reason I believe the
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EITHER SIDE TO WIN.
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August 6 • 2015
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