Grassley, Ernst Leery of Obama’s Iran Deal

Iowa’s U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst gave the following statements about President Obama’s deal with Iran over their nuclear program released on Tuesday.

From U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa):

I’ve always been skeptical about an agreement with Iran that fails to fully dismantle its nuclear program.  This is a country that sponsors terrorism and has a history of hiding its nuclear program from outside inspectors.  I’m concerned that Iran’s relief from international sanctions could offer a lot more carrot than stick.  That would open the spigot to support Iran’s terror activities and nuclear capabilities, threatening our national security and the security of our allies in the region.

“It’s important that under the legislation Congress passed, the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, Congress will have 60 days to review the agreement before the President could waive any congressionally imposed sanctions on Iran.  Under the act, Congress will review every line of the agreement before approving or disapproving the deal.  We need to understand all of the components of the agreement.  Does the deal allow for anytime, anywhere inspections, including military sites?  When and how will sanctions be lifted, and what process exists for re-imposing sanctions, should Iran violate the deal?   Will sanctions on conventional arms and ballistic missile technology be lifted as a result of the agreement?  Will this deal prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability and improve the security of the United States and our allies?  These are just a few of the questions that come to mind.

From U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa):

The 60 days will allow Congress and the American people to thoroughly scrutinize every aspect of the agreement with Iran. While I am still reviewing the details, I have very serious concerns that this agreement concedes too much to Iran and will ultimately strengthen the pathway for Iran to achieve a nuclear weapon. The bottom line, Iran must never be allowed to develop a single nuclear weapon – not now or at any point in the future.

Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism and has aligned themselves with groups that are hostile to the United States and our allies. Therefore, we cannot afford premature sanction relief which has helped to curb Iranian support of terrorist activity. We cannot trust that Iran won’t use additional resources as an opportunity to fund terrorism and other proxy groups which pose a direct threat to our allies and national security interests in the region.

Iran’s quarter century effort to obtain a nuclear weapon and long-standing support for terrorism will not subside overnight. We also cannot trust that Iran is complying with limitations on their nuclear program without stronger inspections. It is paramount that we are able to verify and enforce every aspect of Iranian compliance in order to confront and contain their nuclear ambitions.

Iran is one of the greatest threats to peace and stability of our time, and we have a duty to stand behind our friends and closest ally in the region – Israel.  The stakes are too high for the United States to risk any mistakes in an agreement with Iran.  I look forward to carefully reviewing this deal in Congress to make sure we preserve our own national security and the pursuit of stability in the world.