Congressman Veasey Statement on the Iran Deal

Washington, D.C.—Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, issued the following statement on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the agreement negotiated between Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, plus Germany (P5+1):

"I consider Iran's pursuit of the ability to produce nuclear weapons to be the single greatest threat to not only global security but also the United States and Israel, our greatest ally in the Middle East. It is because I consider the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran such a grave threat to our nation, international allies, and global security that I have vowed to take advantage of every available minute to evaluate every detail, hear expert testimony from nuclear specialists, examine relevant classified and unclassified analysis, as well as hear directly from Administration experts who were central to the negotiations of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, plus Germany (P5+1).

I do not trust the Islamic Republic of Iran. It has demonstrated repeatedly to be the most prolific state sponsor of terrorism in the world, has consistently acted as a malevolent aggressor to destabilize and agitate tensions in the Middle East region and abroad, and is guilty of countless abuses of basic human rights. The prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran is an unthinkable nightmare that cannot be allowed to be realized. This agreement is not about trusting a tyrannical regime to act responsibly but instead acts out of extreme distrust and to ensure that there is international support and pressure to constrain Iran's nuclear ambitions. Rather than continue the status quo of secrecy, disorder, and lack of international inspections, this agreement seeks to bind Iran's aggression through regimented inspections, monitoring, and verification through international partnerships with the most powerful nations in the world.

To be clear, I have very strong objections regarding important details of the JCPOA. Specifically, I would have demanded an unequivocal and zero tolerance policy for any violation of any degree of this agreement so that sanctions would snap back immediately and automatically. I am not satisfied that fifteen years of prohibiting Iran from uranium production is sufficient and would prefer longer timeline prohibitions concerning conventional arms and ballistic weapons technologies. I also have severe apprehensions regarding the financial benefits that Iran will receive in return for complying with this agreement that may be used to continue their malevolent activities toward the United States and our allies. I stand behind more stringent timeline requirements for inspection procedures of all nuclear sites.

While I have many strong concerns about this imperfect deal, I also have great respect for the efforts of our administration officials and president in negotiating its details against very challenging odds over many years and diverse interests. I wish Congress were presented with a better deal that eliminates all doubt and every risk. Although it was a difficult decision, I have decided to support the agreement that has been reached with our international partners with the utmost interest in ensuring that our administration has at its disposal all of the requisite tools and legal framework as well as credibility within the international community to implement the terms of the agreement with full force and effect. It is vital the United States moves beyond partisan disagreements and that Congress work in concert with the Administration to safeguard the future of our nation, the state of Israel, and the world."

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