Earnest: Congress's Negative Vote on Iran Deal Will Be Devastating for America's Standing

Josh Earnest, the White House spokesman, stated on Friday, July 26, that a rejection of the nuclear deal with Iran by the U.S. Congress would have devastating consequences for the country's international standing. The spokesman told reporters, "If Congress rejects the nuclear deal with Iran, the consequences will be very bad. Such an action by Congress would lead to the isolation of the United States on such an important issue and would be devastating for America's position in the world." Iran and six world powers reached a comprehensive and final agreement regarding Iran's nuclear program on Tuesday, July 23, and a draft resolution from the United Nations Security Council is set to be voted on Monday. Meanwhile, several Democratic and Republican representatives in the U.S. Congress have criticized the agreement with Iran. President Barack Obama, defending the agreement, stated that it is the best way to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons for at least the next ten years. However, Josh Earnest emphasized on Friday that if Congress rejects the nuclear deal with Iran, the international sanctions regime against Iran would "collapse." The White House spokesman added that in such a case, "Iran would be able to benefit from the lifting of financial sanctions. Iran would gain all the advantages without losing anything." According to a plan previously approved in Congress and endorsed by Barack Obama, Congress has 60 days to review and approve or reject the nuclear agreement. John Boehner, the Republican Speaker of the House, stated that it is "clear" that the majority of Congress opposes this agreement. The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee also requested on Thursday that the UN Security Council vote be postponed until after Congress reviews the nuclear agreement with Iran. Meanwhile, Wendy Sherman, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, stated on Thursday that international sanctions against Iran have been imposed by the Security Council, and "when the negotiating countries want this agreement to be approved by the Security Council, it will be somewhat difficult for us to say: countries of the world, we apologize, you should wait for Congress's decision." Josh Earnest also mentioned on Friday that Barack Obama discussed the nuclear agreement with Iran and security cooperation during a meeting with Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi Foreign Minister. According to the White House, this meeting was held at the request of King Salman of Saudi Arabia. It was reported that King Salman had spoken with Barack Obama by phone earlier in the week.