We need to reduce our dependence on oil from bad actors like Iran & Venezuela, and maintain our long-term climate goals.
- @RepJoshG
- 16 hours ago
RELEASE: Bipartisan Group of 21 Members Raise Concerns About Potential Iran Deal
Washington, D.C.,
March 10, 2022
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, March 10, 2022, U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Elaine Luria (VA-2), and Tom Reed (NY-23) led a bipartisan group of 21 total Members of Congress urging the Administration to address concerns surrounding the looming agreement with Iran. With reports indicating that the Vienna negotiations are nearing conclusion, there are several critical concerning issues that remain on the table — including the potential lifting of the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and of sanctions placed on the Supreme Leader. “As negotiators continue their work, we must not forget where money will be funneled if terrorist sanctions are lifted on Iran. Iran’s nuclear program and terrorist activities are not only regionally focused in the Middle East with Hezbollah, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, but also across the rest of the world. Iran’s actions also continue to threaten the security and stability of our key ally Israel, and the entire region,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “The Iranian regime has actively financed a robust worldwide network of proxy groups that host terror cells in Eastern Europe, Latin America, Africa, and even in the United States. We need to address these concerns, so that we can combat the world’s leading state-sponsor of terror.” “I am deeply concerned that the latest iteration of the failed JCPOA being negotiated by the Biden Administration will empower Iran, endanger Israel, and continue to threaten global security. Any deal that would give Iran a path to a nuclear weapon or allow them to invest in terror proxies is unacceptable,” Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-2) said. “If this deal goes through, we must ensure Israel has the means to respond to the resulting threats, and I will continue to stand against any deal that does not permanently prevent a nuclear capable Iran and does not make the Middle East and the world safer.” “It is critical that we get the answers needed regarding renewed negotiations with Iran. We can not take these negotiations lightly as we must recognize Iran’s role as the world’s leading state-sponsor of terror,” said Congressman Tom Reed (NY-23). “In any negotiation, President Biden needs to ensure Israel’s safety and interests are protected. It is fundamental that our questions are sufficiently answered in a timely manner.” “We hope that no agreement is finalized without additionally addressing these concerns,” the Members wrote to President Biden this week. “Without adequately addressing Iran’s role as the world’s leading state-sponsor of terror — which was noticeably absent from the 2015 JCPOA — and simultaneously providing billions of dollars in sanctions relief, the United States would be providing a clear path for Iranian proxies to continue fueling terrorism.” “Our support will be contingent largely on satisfactory answers to the following questions,” the Members added. The questions include a range of topics including whether the Administration plans to bring the agreement to Congress pursuant to the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act (INARA), Iran’s estimated breakout time when the agreement is implemented, and what recourse the U.S. will have should Iran violate the agreement after the snapback mechanism in U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231 expires in 2025. The full signatory list of 21 Members includes Josh Gottheimer, Elaine Luria, Tom Reed, Don Bacon, Jim Costa, Brian Fitzpatrick, Jared Golden, Vicente Gonzalez, Anthony Gonzalez, Jaime Herrera Beutler, David P. Joyce, Susie Lee, Peter Meijer, Dan Meuser, Donald Norcross, Dean Phillips, Darren Soto, Haley Stevens, Thomas R. Suozzi, Fred Upton, and Juan Vargas.. Full text of the letter can be found here and below: March 10, 2022 The Honorable Joseph R. Biden President of the United States The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mr. President: Since the beginning of this Administration, we have hoped that renewed negotiations with Iran would achieve a longer and stronger agreement than the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), with clear nuclear restrictions and provisions addressing Iran’s international terror and missile programs. Among other issues, we are highly concerned about reports indicating the potential lifting of the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and of the sanctions placed on members of the office of the Supreme Leader. Without adequately addressing Iran’s role as the world’s leading state-sponsor of terror — which was noticeably absent from the 2015 JCPOA — and simultaneously providing billions of dollars in sanctions relief, the United States would be providing a clear path for Iranian proxies to continue fueling terrorism. In his nomination hearing, Secretary of State Antony Blinken committed to maintaining terrorism-related sanctions on Iran. Lifting, waiving, or rescinding terrorism-related sanctions will violate his previous commitment to Congress. We will review any agreement closely, but from what we currently understand, it is hard to envision supporting an agreement along the lines being publicly discussed. As the State Department has often noted in reference to a nuclear agreement with Iran, “Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.” We hope that no agreement is finalized without additionally addressing these concerns. Our support will be contingent largely on satisfactory answers to the following questions. We would appreciate it if you would brief us on the below questions within the next week:
Thank you for your leadership and for your consideration of these questions. We look forward to your response. Sincerely, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS cc: The Honorable Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State ### |