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.*
Executive Statements
August 18, 2015: Barack Obama – How diplomacy can prevent a nuclear Iran
Supportive Congressional Statements
September 2, 2015 –
US Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)
“I have concluded that this Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is the best option available to block Iran from having a nuclear bomb. For these reasons, I will vote in favor of this deal.”
US Representative Corrine Brown (D-FL03)
“I have concluded that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action represents our best, long-term option to prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon. I will vote in support of the agreement, and if necessary to uphold a veto of the resolution of disapproval.”
US Representative Kurt Schrader (D-OR05):
“I have decided that I will support this agreement as I believe it severely degrades Iran’s nuclear capabilities and will allow international inspectors unprecedented access all across the country.”
September 1, 2015 –
US Senator Chris Coons (D-Del)
“We are better off trying diplomacy first… This agreement will substantially constrain the Iranian nuclear program or its duration, and compared with all realistic alternatives, it is the best option available to us at this time.”
“I will vote to support the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action because I believe it is the best option available to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. It places strict limitations on Iran’s nuclear program, requires robust monitoring and verification measures, and grants relief only from nuclear sanctions in exchange for verified actions on Iran’s part.”
US Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.)
After careful and thoughtful consideration, I have decided to support this agreement because I believe it ends the otherwise unmonitored and unrestricted continuation of the Iranian nuclear program and it halts the surely destructive effects of a nuclear Iran in the Middle East.
August 28, 2015—
“This is a good deal for America, our negotiating partners and the world. That’s not just my view. It’s also the view of scores of American national security leaders and former senior officials, as well as many of their Israeli counterparts.”
August 27, 2015—
US Representative Scott Peters (D-CA)
“After weeks of careful study, it is clear to me the JCPOA is our best tool to prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon for at least the next 15 years. I will vote to support the agreement.”
August 26, 2015—
US Representative Alan Lowenthal (D-CA)
“I have decided to support the JCPOA agreement because I believe it is the best chance we have at preventing a nuclear-armed Iran. I believe that this agreement is in the best security interests of my constituents, our nation, for Israel, and the world.”
US Representative Linda Sánchez (D-CA)
“After thoroughly reviewing and considering the arguments, I have decided to support the Iran nuclear agreement and oppose a resolution of disapproval. Stopping Iran from a nuclear bomb is the principal goal and I believe this agreement is the best option to achieve that goal.”
August 25, 2015—
US Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.)
“After working my way through the details and the alternatives, losing a lot of sleep, and having a lot of good conversations with so many people — I am convinced that moving forward with this deal is the best chance we have at a strong diplomatic solution, it puts us in a stronger position no matter what Iran chooses to do, and it keeps all of our options on the table if Iran doesn’t hold up their end of the bargain.”
August 24, 2015—
US Representative Karen Bass (D-CA)
“After much deliberation that included reading the agreement, attending classified briefings, speaking directly with President Obama and members of the national security team, and meeting with people and community groups who both support and oppose the agreement, I have decided that I will support the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreed upon by Iran and the P5+1.”
August 23, 2015 –
“This is the best way, the only way, to keep Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.”
August 21, 2015 –
US Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY)
“What helps Israel and averts another potential Holocaust is whatever is most likely to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear bomb. My conclusion is that this deal — of the available alternatives to us, not what might or should have been — is the best.”
August 20, 2015 –
US Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO)
“This deal isn’t perfect and no one trusts Iran,but it has become clear to me that the world is united behind this agreement with the exception of the government of Israel. I respect and understand those who oppose it but I have become convinced that it is more dangerous to Israel, America and our allies to walk away in the face of unified worldwide support.”
US Representative Mike Honda (D-CA)
“It is time to change the narrative with Iran and give peace a chance. Reviewing and ultimately supporting the proposed Iran nuclear deal has been one of the most substantial foreign policy decisions I have faced in Congress.”
August 19, 2015 –
US Senator Joe Donnelly (D-IN)
“A nuclear-armed Iran would pose an unacceptable threat to the security of the United States and our allies. Only one thing can truly guarantee Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon – the steadfast resolve of the U.S. and our allies to stop them. That is and must remain our nation’s policy, and we must be prepared to follow through on it.”
US Senator Edward Markey (D-MA)
“I have concluded that diplomacy remains our best tool to secure a nuclear-weapon-free Iran. That’s why I intend to support the Iran nuclear agreement when it comes before Congress in September.”
US Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN)
“I know that, by supporting this agreement in Congress, many longtime—even lifelong—friends will be disappointed but I hope they will understand that it is the result of careful consideration and countless classified briefings as well as meetings with officials at the Vienna headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the agency responsible for enforcing the agreement’s historically robust inspections regime.”
August 18, 2015 –
US Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
“This agreement, reached by the United States and five partner nations (the United Kingdom, China, France, Russia, and Germany) and Iran, would prohibit Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and place its nuclear program under strict and comprehensive international monitoring. The agreement between the P5+1 and Iran ensures no sanctions relief is provided unless the Iranian government undertakes a series of significant steps. The JCPOA also ensures the international sanctions regime against Iran can be quickly restored if the Iranian government fails to honor its commitments.”
August 17, 2015 –
US Representative Denny Heck (D-WA)
“Following extensive briefings, meetings with constituents, and a thorough reading of the entire agreement, I strongly believe that the Iran nuclear deal is the best avenue forward to protect against Iran developing a nuclear weapon. As I have said repeatedly: there is no scenario in which the world is better off with Iran having a nuclear weapon. This agreement blocks any path to building nuclear weapons. It gives Iran no room to hide. If they try to cheat, we’ll know. At that point, previous sanctions will immediately be reimposed. This is a strong agreement that passes every test.”
August 14, 2015 –
US Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
“It’s critical that we prevent Iran from developing or acquiring a nuclear weapon. This agreement is the only viable option to achieve that goal. I have studied the details, listened to Ohioans on all sides of this issue, and consulted with nuclear experts like Energy Secretary Moniz, other administration officials, U.S. intelligence officials, and the ambassadors of our P5+1 allies. This deal is not about trusting the Iranian regime, but instead working with our allies on comprehensive, verifiable restrictions to block Iran’s pathways to a nuclear bomb without precipitating another war in the Middle East.”
Critical Congressional Statements
August 27, 2015—
US Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)
“There are strong arguments for and against the agreement but, as a matter of conscience, I have decided to oppose it.”
August 23, 2015 –
US Representative Brendan Boyle (D-PA)
“As a member of both the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Middle East subcommittee, I have participated in numerous hearings and attended classified briefings on this complex issue, including meeting with President Obama in the White House Situation Room. While I greatly admire the tireless work he has put into reaching an agreement, after much thought and consideration, I have concluded that I cannot support this agreement for three main reasons.”
August 18, 2015 –
US Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ)
“I know that, in many respects, it would be far easier to support this deal, as it would have been to vote for the war in Iraq at the time. But I didn’t choose the easier path then, and I’m not going to now. I know that the editorial pages that support the agreement would be far kinder, if I voted yes, but they largely also supported the agreement that brought us a nuclear North Korea.”
August 17, 2015 –
“Now that the Obama administration has reached what it believes to be an acceptable agreement, it is Congress’s responsibility to determine whether this agreement will be in our national interest, will make the United States safer and will prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapons program. I do not believe that it will.”
August 15, 2015 –
“While I have supported the negotiations that led to the JCPOA from the beginning, I cannot vote in support of this deal. The JCPOA does contain benefits in terms of limiting Iran’s ability to produce sufficient fissile material for a nuclear weapon for a period of time, particularly at its known nuclear facilities. But these benefits are outweighed by severe limitations the JCPOA places on Congress and future administrations in responding to Iran’s non-nuclear behavior in the region.”
Supportive Op-eds
August 20, 2015: Col. Lawrence Wilkerson – The Isolated States of America
