WASHINGTON, Ala. — After years of tense debates, The Obama administration announced Thursday that it had reached a nuclear agreement with Iran. Many Republican members of Congress are unhappy with the deal, including Alabama Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL1).
“Let’s be clear here,” Rep. Byrne said in a press release Friday, “Iran is no friend of the United States. Iran, the world’s foremost state-sponsor of terrorism, has repeatedly demonstrated that their national interests are in direct contrast to our country. Iran’s supreme leader was recently chanting ‘death to America’ at a rally, and an Iranian general just the other day said that ‘Israel’s destruction is non-negotiable.’ Does that sound like a good negotiating partner?”
Some details of the deal were released Thursday. Iran will be allowed to keep over 6,000 centrifuges running, though it would be required to give up 98 percent of the country’s low-enriched uranium and would need to submit to inspections. All economic sanctions placed on the rogue nation would also be lifted, under the agreement. A full, comprehensive deal is expected by June 30th.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he and his cabinet also strongly oppose the plan.
“The deal would not shut down a single nuclear facility in Iran, would not destroy a single centrifuge in Iran and will not stop R&D (research and development) on Iran’s advanced centrifuges,” Netanyahu remarked.
“On the contrary, the deal would legitimize Iran’s illegal nuclear program. It would leave Iran with a vast nuclear infrastructure.”
Congressman Byrne characterized the Obama administration as “desperate” in trying to come to an agreement in the last minute to “avoid another foreign policy blunder.”
“By lessening sanctions and allowing Iran’s economy to grow with little in return, this deal puts the American people and our allies in the Middle East at risk,” Byrne said. “Congress must have a role in approving any nuclear deal, and I continue to believe the best approach is to move forward with crippling sanctions until Iran fully stops their nuclear program and ceases operations with known terrorist organizations.”
Republicans and Democrats in Congress are also speaking out against the deal, and GOP leadership has said they aren’t ruling out bills that would continue sanctions on Iran and require the President to receive a thumbs up from Congress on the deal.
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— Elizabeth BeShears (@LizEBeesh) January 21, 2015
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