Mike Pence: We Will Never Allow Iran to Acquire Nuclear Weapons

The Vice President of the United States, during a speech to the 'Republican Jewish Coalition,' emphasized that the U.S. government under Donald Trump will 'never allow' Iran to move towards producing nuclear weapons. Mike Pence accused Iran of having long sent money and weapons to 'its supported terrorist elements in places like Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza.' He then referred to the previous U.S. administration, the agreements made, and what he described as 'the increase of Iran's resources in line with its provocative efforts' in the Middle East, stating, 'Let me be clear: President Trump will never allow Iran to arm itself with nuclear weapons, and this is our unwavering commitment to you and to the world.' Mike Pence said, 'We told the Ayatollahs of Iran to look at the calendar; a new president has come to the White House.' The U.S. Vice President had previously criticized the 'nuclear agreement' and issued 'warnings' regarding 'Iran's behaviors.' For instance, in mid-February, he described the nuclear agreement with Iran as a 'terrible deal' that Mr. Donald Trump is 'evaluating,' warning Iran not to doubt the 'seriousness' of the new president. In his speech to the 'Republican Jews,' he did not mention the cancellation of the nuclear agreement. The Trump administration and several Republican representatives who hold a majority in the U.S. Congress have proposed actions and plans aimed at increasing non-nuclear sanctions against Iran. Iran's nuclear program during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency led to sanctions and international actions that previous U.S. officials described as 'unprecedented isolation' for Tehran. Nevertheless, a deal was eventually reached between Iran and six world powers, including the U.S., which limited Iran's nuclear program and dismantled nuclear agreements. Tehran has consistently emphasized, both before and during negotiations, that it does not intend to produce nuclear weapons. Iranian officials, including the Supreme Leader, have rejected the 'softness' from the U.S. during Barack Obama's administration. The Supreme Leader stated in a speech on February 8 that 'Why should we thank the previous administration?... It was they who brought crippling sanctions upon the Iranian nation.' Barack Obama, the former U.S. president, and his administration officials have repeatedly defended the nuclear agreement, stating that it prevents Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. American Republicans have consistently criticized the agreement from the time of negotiations until after the nuclear deal. According to some critics, such as the Israeli Prime Minister, the nuclear agreement does not prevent Iran from accessing nuclear weapons. Critics of the nuclear agreement also argue that it provides money and financial resources to a government that the U.S. labels as 'the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism.' In recent years, Iran has topped the U.S. State Department's list of 'state-sponsored terrorism'; Iranian officials have always denied this accusation. Despite Barack Obama's praise of the nuclear agreement as a 'historic deal,' Donald Trump, during the election campaign and afterward, described the 'JCPOA' as 'the worst deal' he has ever seen.