Senators Reed, Whitehouse support Iran nuclear agreement

By News Staff

news@abc6.com

Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse have announced their support for the Iran nuclear agreement.

The agreement would prohibit Iran from getting a nuclear weapon and would strictly monitor its nuclear program.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was reached by the U.S. and five partner nations: the United Kingdom, China, France, Russia, and Germany. The agreement would allow no sanctions relief unless the Iranian government underwent a series of significant steps.

“I support the JCPOA because it cuts off Iran’s pathways to a nuclear weapon and gives international inspectors unprecedented access to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and supply chains,” said Senator Reed.

“It establishes strong enforcement and vigilant verification mechanisms that — in combination with our intelligence capabilities, and those of our allies — increase our ability to detect covert activity.  No one assumes Iran will change its stripes, which is why the agreement is built on a foundation of intrusive inspections and constant verification.   If Iran cheats, they will be isolated, international sanctions snap back, and we will have better intelligence, a broader coalition, and a stronger case for swift, forceful action.  But if Congress derails the Iran nuclear agreement it could be a costly, strategic mistake that would likely end strong international sanctions and leave Iran’s nuclear ambitions unchecked.”

Senator Whitehouse stated, in part, “I thank the many Rhode Islanders who have contacted me on every side of this question. I appreciate their thoughtful input.  I’ve decided to support the P5+1 agreement with Iran, not because it assures anything on its own, but because — with persistent watchfulness and effort — it could open a new doorway in the precarious Middle East. I do not see a better credible option."

He continued, "Short of war, with all its dramatic uncertainties and terrible costs, I do not see another pathway to impose a nuclear weapons-free Iran.  I have heard the unified commitments of all the other involved governments that they will be strong partners to enforce this nuclear weapons agreement and to ramp up enforcement under other international agreements against Iran’s terror activities.  I have no reason to disbelieve all five governments speaking together.  I have heard their warnings that if we walk away from this agreement before even giving it a try, the prospect of further multilateral negotiations yielding any better result is ‘far-fetched.’

Both houses of Congress are expected to vote by next month on a “resolution of disapproval.” This would then be subjected to a Presidential veto, requiring a two-thirds majority of both houses of Congress to override the President.  At least 34 U.S. Senators total will have to vote in support of the JCPOA or the agreement could collapse.

(C) WLNE-TV 2015