U.S. Republican senators say they won’t support Iran’s nuclear deal.
WASHINGTON: Forty-nine Republican senators declared on Monday that they would not support a proposed new nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, highlighting their party’s hostility to efforts to resurrect a 2015 agreement amid fears that talks could fail.
The lawmakers stated in a statement that Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration would negotiate a deal to weaken sanctions and ease limitations on Iran’s nuclear program, citing press reports about the as-yet-unfinalized pact, which might be derailed by Russian resistance.
They promised to do everything they could to undo a deal that did not “fully prevent” Iran’s capacity to produce nuclear weapons, limit its ballistic missile program, and “confront Iran’s support for terrorism.” Tehran claims it has never desired nuclear weapons.
The 2015 agreement between Iran and foreign powers, struck under Democratic President Barack Obama, received no Republican support in Congress. A few Democrats also voiced their displeasure.
Under the 2015 Iran Nuclear Accord Review Act (INARA), Congress has the power to renew an agreement. Still, they are unlikely to be able to do so after failing to do it seven years ago when Republicans controlled Congress.
In both the House of Representatives and the Senate, Democrats currently have slender majorities.
The agreement removed sanctions in exchange for curbs on Iran’s uranium enrichment, making it more difficult for Tehran to develop weapons-grade nuclear material.
However, after Republican President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. from the agreement in 2018, it fell apart.
Attempts to reach a new agreement were thrown into disarray after a last-minute demand from Russia, which is at war with the West over its invasion of Ukraine, prompted the powers to halt discussions in Vienna despite having a nearly finished document. find out more
On Monday, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said that Washington needs to decide to reach an agreement.
Eric is a professional news editor, writer, and blogger for the last 10 years. He is working with NewsGater as an off-beat news editor cum writer.