UPDATES: P5+1 Iran Nuclear Negotiations Resource Center
Washington, D.C. – Like much of the world, Iranian Americans have followed the Iran nuclear negotiations and ensuing developments with great interest. The PAAIA Public Policy Center is pleased to provide a resource page that provides easily accessible information about the on-going nuclear negotiations between Iran and the members of the P5+1 (U.S., U.K., France, Russia, China, and Germany).
The resource page includes a compilation of information provided by the U.S. government on the negotiations as well as viewpoints from members of Congress, editorials from leading news sources, and analyses from foreign policy and national security experts.
While PAAIA supports efforts to pursue a diplomatic resolution to the decade-long stalemate over Iran’s nuclear program, we recognize the importance of ensuring that Iranian Americans are well informed and aware of the positions held by their elected officials and others related to this matter.
Set forth below is a collection of the most recent updates to the P5+1 Iran Nuclear Negotiations Resource Center.
*The views expressed in these articles are solely the views of author or the interviewee, and should not be attributed to the views of PAAIA.*
Supportive Congressional Statements
August 13, 2015
“After careful review, I have decided that I will vote in support of the agreement the United States and our international partners reached with Iran last month. It’s not a conclusion I came to lightly. Since the deal was announced, I’ve consulted with nuclear and sanctions experts inside and outside government; Obama administration officials, including Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz; ambassadors from the other countries that negotiated alongside us; advocates for Israel on both sides of the issue; my constituents in Minnesota; and, of course, my colleagues in the Senate.”
US Representative Katherine Clark (D-CT)
“One of the United States’ most pressing foreign policy priorities is prevention of a nuclear-armed Iran. After studying the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), I am convinced that it is our best opportunity to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and provide for the safety of the United States, Israel and the world.”
August 11, 2015
US Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI)
“Iran must never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon, and that is why I support this agreement. This agreement should not be compared to an imaginary deal where Iran rolled over and eliminated all its centrifuges and all peaceful nuclear energy generation. That was never seriously on the table.”
US Representative Mark Takano (D-CA)
“To fully understand the ramifications of the agreement with Iran, I have met with experts on nuclear non-proliferation and the Middle East, the Administration, and organizations that both support and oppose the deal. I have also met with community leaders, and read the mail sent to my office by constituents. After careful consideration, I believe that the agreement reached by the P5+1 and Iran represents our best opportunity to thwart Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons.”
August 10, 2015
US Senator Amy Klobuchar D-MN)
“Preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is one of the most important objectives of our national security policy and I strongly advocated for and supported the economic sanctions that brought Iran to the negotiating table. While the agreement is by no means perfect, I have concluded that it is our best available option to put the brakes on Iran’s development of a nuclear weapon and that is why I will support it. In conjunction with that support I will also push for increased security assistance to Israel and enhanced defense cooperation with our Arab allies to combat terrorism throughout the region.”
US Representative Jim Himes (D-CT)
“I’ve arrived at the conclusion that the risk not doing the deal, that is the risk of walking away, significantly outweighs the risks of doing the deal.”
Critical Congressional Statements
August 13, 2015
US Representative Alcee Hastings (D-FL)
“After careful review, I have decided that I cannot support this deal. The goal of the recently concluded negotiations was to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. The negotiators worked diligently, but in the end, the JCPOA allows Iran to remain a nuclear threshold state while simultaneously reaping the benefits of relief from international sanctions.”
August 7, 2015
US Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA)
“A strong Congressional vote against the Agreement is the best way to make it clear that the Agreement is not binding on Congress, the American people or future administrations.”
Supportive Op-eds
“Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), a key voice in the Democratic Party leadership, has announced that he will not support the international agreement designed to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. We realize that all senators must balance their concerns about the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action against the consequences for the United States if Washington rejects it. We just do not agree with how the senator balances up the account. Here’s why:”
August 13, 2015: Cark Levin and John Warner – Why hawks should also back the Iran deal
“We both were elected to the Senate in 1978 and privileged to have served together on the Senate Armed Services Committee for 30 years, during which we each held committee leadership positions of chairman or ranking minority member. We support the Iran Agreement negotiated by the United States and other leading world powers for many reasons, including its limitations on Iran’s nuclear activities, its strong inspections regime, and the ability to quickly re-impose sanctions should Iran violate its provisions.”
August 12, 2015: I am a Jewish Iranian-American in favour of the nuclear deal
“Iran, Israel and the United States have more in common with each other than they would like to admit. This deal gives this hope a chance. It will also give my Iranian American Jewish identity a welcome respite.”
August 10, 2015: Kelsey Davenport – Why Schumer is ‘Technically’ Wrong About the Iran Deal
“On Thursday, Aug. 6, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y) came out against the negotiated nuclear agreement between the United States, other world powers, and Iran. If implemented, the deal will block Iran’s pathways to nuclear weapons for well over a decade and put in place more intrusive monitoring to guard against covert activity permanently. In his statement, Schumer said he would vote in favor of a resolution disapproving the agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), that was negotiated on July 14.”
August 9, 2015: Samuel Berger – ‘No’ to Iran Means No Forever
“There is a notion cultivated by opponents of the Iran nuclear agreement, attractive to members of Congress under intense pressure to vote no, that congressional rejection of the agreement will enable U.S. negotiators to reach a better deal. The expectation is, that with a further turn of the screws, we can pressure the Iranians to give more and/or we give less. But it can’t happen.”
“As members of Congress evaluate the nuclear agreement with Iran, there is one test that trumps all others: Is the United States better able to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran with or without the deal?”
Critical Op-eds
August 9, 2015: Hooman Bakhtiar – Obama’s Sanctions Gift to an Assassin for Iran
“Congress is debating whether the nuclear agreement between Iran and the great powers goes far enough to curb Tehran’s illicit activities. But equally deserving of scrutiny are the nefarious characters whose names would be removed under the deal from Western sanctions lists.”
August 6, 2015: Michael Gerson – Obama’s bitter endgame on Iran
“President Obama’s closing argument in favor of the Iran nuclear deal has become so exaggerated, so bitter, so simplified, that it risks parody.”
