Blunt presents amendment package to strengthen Iran Nuclear Agreement bill

U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) presented four amendments to the pending Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 on Monday.

In addition to making the pending agreement contingent upon release of American prisoners, the amendments are designed to create accountability for the Iranian government regarding the intent of its underground uranium enrichment facilities as well as its ongoing relationship with North Korea.

“As we move toward a final agreement, our No. 1 priority should be doing everything possible to prohibit Iran – whose influence in the region and in the world is already disproportionate – from ever having nuclear weapons capacity,” Blunt said. “This bill is a first step toward providing constitutional protection when we reach an international agreement with such wide-ranging consequences.”

Blunt’s Amendment to Make the Implementation of Any Agreement with Iran Contingent Upon includes the unconditional release of the three Americans currently imprisoned in Iran: Pastor Saeed Abedini, former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati and Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian. It also includes certification that Iran is cooperating with U.S. officials regarding the identification of the location and subsequent return of former FBI official Robert Levinson to the United States.

His three other amendments include: the Amendment to Require a Declaration of U.S. Policy Regarding the Underground Uranium Enrichment Facility at Fordow; the Amendment to Extend the Sunset on the Annual U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Report Regarding Iran’s Military; and the Amendment Requiring An Assessment of Iran-North Korea Cooperation Regarding Nuclear Programs.

“These amendments will help strengthen and advance negotiations with Iran, ensuring that Congress and the American people have the authority to review and weigh in on an agreement,” Blunt concluded.