Rep. Ed Royce (R-Ca.) author of the Nuclear Iran Prevention Act, which passed the House last year, responded Monday to reports that Iran is violating United Nations nuclear restrictions.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) reacted to reports that the Iranian government is testing nuclear weapons and attempting to build a “plutonium bomb factory” in the city of Arak.
“There are now multiple reports that Iran has violated its commitment to freeze its nuclear program,” Royce said. “This regime is proving to be a determined cheater, showing no willingness to accept an effective verification regime.”
Royce said he believes it is time to hold Iran accountable.
“We are on our second negotiations extension,” Royce said. “Iran is not addressing our fundamental verification and enrichment concerns. It is well beyond time for more sanctions pressure.”
The Nuclear Iran Prevention Act of 2013 said it shall be U.S. policy to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability.
If the Iranian government is indeed testing weapons, that is in direct violation of the 2013 agreement in which it promised to reduce nuclear activities in exchange for nearly $7 billion of sanction relief.
Royce was critical of the original agreement when it was reached in the fall of 2013.
“I’m concerned that this agreement takes us down that path where sanctions pressure is relieved, but Iran maintains its ability to produce a nuclear weapon,” Royce said. “Given these stakes, it’s regrettable that the president does not want to work with Congress to bolster his negotiating hand with additional sanctions, which would go into effect should Iran fail to meet its commitments.”