Bipartisan Lawmakers' Letter to Biden: Efforts to Halt Iran's Nuclear Program Should Increase

More than half of the members of the U.S. House of Representatives signed a letter urging President Joe Biden to take further actions to prevent Iran's nuclear program and to prepare for the reinstatement of United Nations sanctions against Iran. Although the letter, which the Jewish Insider obtained a copy of, does not mention negotiations or potential agreements with Iran, it reflects the most widespread unified request among House Democrats since Biden took office for more decisive steps against Iran's nuclear program. The letter, sent on Friday, July 2, was signed by 249 lawmakers, including 133 Democrats and 116 Republicans, stating: "The United States must increase its efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability and unequivocally tell Iran that any further progress in its nuclear program will have severe consequences." The signatories added: "Iran must not be allowed to advance its nuclear program without punishment." The House letter, which was supported and encouraged by AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobby in the U.S., followed a similar letter from a group of senators that directly questioned negotiations with the Islamic Republic. In that letter, published on June 21, 26 U.S. senators urged Biden to prevent the Islamic Republic of Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The majority House letter, led by Democrats Abigail Spanberger and Republican Dan Crenshaw, reflects a broad willingness among a wide range of House Democrats for a more aggressive approach to Iran's nuclear program. Gregory Meeks, a senior Democratic representative on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Pete Aguilar, a senior House member, who both supported the JCPOA, are among the signatories of this letter. Like the Senate letter, the House letter calls on Biden to work with European partners to prepare for the reinstatement of UN sanctions against Iran in the event of uranium enrichment at 90 percent purity by the Iranian regime. The letter states: "We believe that this coordination with our allies will convey a powerful message of our unified commitment to deterring Iran's nuclear program." The letter also warns Iran that if it decides to act outside its nuclear commitments, it cannot benefit from the lifting of international sanctions. The letter emphasizes Biden's position that he previously stated, "All options are on the table," and said: "Given the status of Iran's nuclear program, we encourage you to work with our allies to implement the trigger mechanism specified in UN Security Council Resolution 2231." U.S. House lawmakers also noted that "Iran's increasing cooperation with Russia and China" strengthens the Iranian regime's confidence to challenge U.S. and allied interests. Earlier, the House Foreign Affairs Committee approved a resolution on Wednesday morning, June 21, calling for the repeal of the "sunset clauses" of the 1996 U.S. sanctions law against Iran and making these sanctions permanent.