U.S. House of Representatives Opposes Any Agreement with the Islamic Republic Without Congressional Oversight

Kevin McCarthy, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, stated on Tuesday, July 18, to the Israeli publication Jerusalem Post: "The House of Representatives opposes any agreement between the government and the officials of the Islamic Republic without the opinion and oversight of Congress." He added that "Biden administration officials have engaged in indirect negotiations with the Islamic Republic since the beginning of this year to reach an understanding regarding the cessation of Iran's nuclear program and the reduction of U.S. sanctions." McCarthy noted that the Biden administration is aware that resuming any agreement with the 'rogue regime' of Iran will face difficulties with Congress. The House of Representatives will oppose such an agreement, and I believe Senate Democrats will also be against it. The Speaker of the House considered a potential agreement between the Biden administration and the Islamic Republic to be a violation of "U.S. interests" and emphasized that the "lack of means for oversight and verification of the Islamic Republic," "the absence of leverage in Iran's trade with Russia and China," "concerns about the Islamic Republic's support for terrorism," and "the Islamic Republic's disregard for Iranian citizens" are among the issues that the U.S. government must consider in its negotiations with the 'Iranian regime.' He stressed that Congress will use all available tools to ensure that no deal is made with the Islamic Republic that is detrimental to the U.S. and its interests." Meanwhile, Jake Sullivan, the White House National Security Advisor, stated on Sunday, July 16, in an interview with CBS that "Washington continues to work for the release of four American prisoners in Iran" and added, "We are not close to any agreement regarding the nuclear program." In another part of his remarks, McCarthy referred to the suspension of Robert Malley from his position as the U.S. representative on Iran, saying, "The House Foreign Affairs Committee is seriously reviewing and monitoring the suspension of Rob Malley due to concerns about the misuse of classified documents and the FBI's investigation into him." In this regard, Jake Sullivan told CBS, "Robert Malley has served honestly and well under [multiple presidents]. He is a government employee. He is a diplomat. He has been involved in high-level diplomacy and high-stakes situations for a long time. He is someone whom many of us, including myself, have great respect for."