As opposition to the pending Iran Nuclear Agreement mounts on Capitol Hill, U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) joined fellow legislators this week in introducing a resolution objecting to the agreement, under the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015.
“The more we learn about the Obama administration’s Iran deal, the worse it sounds,” Smith said. “This deal emboldens our enemies at the expense of our friends and our national security. It lifts the sanctions on Iran and lacks adequate enforcement measures. It puts sanction relief for Iran above the safety and security of Americans and our allies.”
Smith and 91 of his colleagues also demanded that the White House release text regarding side deals between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
“It has come to our attention that during the recent negotiation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran, at least two side deals were made between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran,” the letter said. “These side deals, concerning the ‘roadmap for the clarification of past and present outstanding issues regarding Iran’s nuclear programs,’ have not been made available to the United States Congress. One deal covers the Parchin military complex and the other covers prior military dimensions (PMDs) of Iran’s nuclear program.”
The letter pointed out that under the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, which Obama signed into law, members of Congress are entitled to the text of these two side deals.
“This is no small matter,” the letter continues. “As you yourself have made clear, the agreement is ‘not based on trust, but on verification.’ The issue of how we will verify that Iran is being truthful about its activities at potential nuclear sites will determine whether the JCPOA can ultimately succeed.”