Bob Corker Calls for Congress to Reject Iran Nuclear Deal

Bob Corker, chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has called for Congress to reject the nuclear deal with Iran, stating that the agreement will not prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Corker, a prominent critic of the deal in recent weeks, wrote in an article for the American newspaper "Washington Post" published on Monday, August 17, that while the Obama administration views the deal with Iran as "acceptable," it is now Congress's duty to determine whether the agreement is in the national interest, whether it will make the United States safer, and whether it will prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. "I do not believe so," he stated. According to the chairman of the U.S. Foreign Relations Committee, the nuclear deal "will not end enrichment in Iran but will instead lead to the industrialization of the nuclear program of the world's foremost state sponsor of terrorism over time." Congress has until September 17 to review the nuclear agreement between six world powers and Iran and to vote either in favor or against it. Republicans in both the House and Senate have strongly criticized the deal in recent weeks and have called for its rejection. Many argue that the time has come for the United States to push Iran back. The best way to do this is for Congress to reject the agreement, which would allow Iran to access billions of dollars over the next decade, lift restrictions on its ballistic missile and conventional weapons technology, and, with U.S. approval, allow Iran to have an industrial-scale uranium enrichment program that it does not need. Corker stated that this agreement would flood billions of dollars into Iran, enabling it to support what they call terrorist groups, while also jeopardizing Israel's security and ultimately allowing Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, the Obama administration has deemed the agreement "the best deal" under the current circumstances, emphasizing that it will block all pathways for Tehran to obtain nuclear weapons. Corker continued in his article that the agreement would become the central strategy of the U.S. in the Middle East, stating, "We will rely on Iran to help achieve our goals in Iraq, Syria, and elsewhere. This situation will lead to a realignment in the region that will draw others into accepting greater risks and ultimately lead to more instability." Corker asserted that Iran has a clear strategy in the Middle East that the nuclear deal will expand and strengthen. "Since the start of negotiations (on the nuclear issue) following Bashar al-Assad's re-election in June 2013, Iran has been involved in security matters in Iraq, increased its support for Bashar al-Assad, and established Hezbollah (Lebanon) as an offensive force." The American senator further stated that rejecting the agreement by Congress is "the best way" to push back the Iranian regime, which has intensified its support for terrorist groups and the Assad regime in Syria since the beginning of the negotiations (on the nuclear issue) in 2013. He added that many argue it is now time for the United States to push Iran back. Corker emphasized that Congress has historically rejected "hundreds of international treaties," many of which were bilateral. He argued that the Obama administration's claim that there is no deal other than this one is an attempt to undermine Congress's important role and responsibility. He concluded by stating, "This agreement will make the U.S. vulnerable to a wealthier and more powerful Iran that is pursuing its ambitions in the Middle East. Congress must reject this agreement and send it back to the president." According to the agreement reached between Iran and six world powers on July 14 in Vienna, Tehran will limit or suspend many of its nuclear activities, and in return, international sanctions against it will be suspended or lifted. While it is expected that Congress will reject this agreement, the Senate majority leader acknowledged on Monday that President Barack Obama has a good chance of success in confronting Congress over the nuclear deal with Iran. He noted the likelihood that Obama would use his veto power against Congress's decision regarding the Iran nuclear deal.