By The Iowa Statesman
According to the Associated Press, Iran and world powers sealed a breakthrough agreement Thursday outlining limits on Iran’s nuclear program to keep it from being able to produce atomic weapons. The Islamic Republic was promised an end to years of crippling economic sanctions, but only if negotiators transform the plan into a comprehensive pact.
They will try to do that in the next three months.
The United States and Iran, long-time adversaries who hashed out much of the agreement, each hailed the efforts of their diplomats over days of sleepless nights in Switzerland. Speaking at the White House, President Barack Obama called it a “good deal” that would address concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called it a “win-win outcome.”
U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was not impressed with the agreement. He made the following statement on the parameters toward a final agreement on Iran’s nuclear program.
“A final agreement that would guarantee that Iran cannot develop a nuclear weapon would be cause for celebration, but we don’t have that today. We have what the White House calls parameters toward a final agreement. The President used a lot of ‘ifs’ in his statement. He said ‘nothing is agreed to until everything is agreed.’ The parameters need careful study, and the final details still need resolution. Iran has pursued a nuclear weapons program for decades, concealing the military purpose. Any deal must require a lot of transparency, verification and action on Iran’s part. The President is obligated to provide full details to the American people and Congress and allow for a full debate. Any final agreement needs congressional approval to ensure its strength. An agreement of this importance should have the full support of the U.S. government behind it, not just the executive branch but also the legislative branch.”
Follow Us