Obama: Rejecting the Iran Agreement in Congress Will Leave War as the Only Option

On Wednesday, August 5, U.S. President Barack Obama defended the nuclear agreement with Iran in a speech at American University in Washington, stating that the slogan 'Death to America' does not represent all Iranian people. Obama referenced John F. Kennedy's historic speech at the same university in 1963, noting that Kennedy was able to save the world from a nuclear disaster. He stated, 'We won the Cold War by using time and space, even without firing a shot at the Soviet Union.' The U.S. President emphasized that the nuclear agreement with Iran is based on the strong tradition of Cold War diplomacy. He asserted that the agreement closes all pathways for Iran to obtain a nuclear bomb. Iran and six world powers reached a comprehensive agreement regarding Tehran's nuclear program on July 14 of this year, and now Congress must express its opinion on the agreement. Republicans, who hold the majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, have announced they will vote against the agreement. Meanwhile, the Obama administration has intensified efforts to convince public opinion and Congress members about the positive outcomes of the nuclear agreement with Iran. However, Obama warned, 'If Congress rejects this agreement, we lose something more valuable, and that is America's credibility as a leader of diplomacy in the world.' He cautioned that rejecting the nuclear agreement in Congress would leave war as the only remaining option, adding, 'Let’s not play with words; the only options we ultimately face are a choice between diplomacy or some form of war.' Obama pointed out that hardliners in Iran and Republicans share common goals in opposing this nuclear agreement. He stated that just because hardliners in Iran chant 'Death to America' does not mean all Iranians share that belief. He added that it is these hardliners who benefit from the status quo and are the main opponents of the agreement. Regarding Israel and the nuclear agreement, Obama noted, 'Every country in the world that has an opinion on Iran's nuclear program has supported this agreement, except for Israel.' He added that a nuclear-armed Iran is far more dangerous for Israel and the U.S. than an Iran that eventually emerges from sanctions. During his speech, he mentioned that even before being elected president, he made it clear that he believed Iran should not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. Obama emphasized, 'We Americans should take pride in this achievement.' He concluded his speech by urging American citizens to contact their congressional representatives and share their views on the nuclear agreement with Iran. While Obama stated that rejecting the nuclear agreement with Iran in Congress would leave only the option of war in the Middle East, Republican Senator John McCain had earlier said, 'We must dispel the notion that if there is no agreement, the only remaining path is war.' Senator McCain warned that this agreement 'gives Iran sufficient assurance to attack Israel.'