House Democrats Express Concerns About Looming Deal With Iran

More than 40 US lawmakers, including about 30 Democrats, in the House of Representatives have signed onto a draft letter expressing fresh concerns about the renewed Iran nuclear deal. 

According to the Jewish Insider on Wednesday, the letter, spearheaded by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), is addressed to President Joe Biden and began circulating on Sunday and will close for signatures on Wednesday. 

The letter urged the administration not to sign any deal before releasing the complete agreement to Congress, briefing lawmakers and seeking input from other stakeholders.

The letter voices specific objections to reported provisions modifying US sanctions targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and lifting sanctions on Iran’s central bank, national development fund and national oil company.

The lawmakers express concerns about specific alleged provisions of the proposed agreement text that have been publicly reported, arguing that, given recent Iranian attempts to attack American citizens on US soil, any reduction or loosening of sanctions would be inappropriate.

The Representatives further contend that Russia should not be trusted to serve as the repository of Iran’s enriched uranium, nor be allowed to engage in any nuclear projects with Iran — including a $10-billion contract to build atomic reactors for which the administration has reportedly agreed to waive sanctions.

On Tuesday, a former IAEA official told Iran International that Tehran and Washington have agreed to restore the 2015 nuclear accord and will announce terms in two to three weeks.