WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Thursday on negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 on Iran’s nuclear program:
"With the security of the United States, Israel, and our allies on the line in the P5+1 negotiations over Iran's nuclear program, I believe that no deal is better than a bad deal. In any agreement, Iran must fully submit to intrusive inspections of its illicit nuclear program, fully disclose its past military work, and dismantle any capacity to develop and build a nuclear weapon in the future. If Iran and the P5+1 reach a comprehensive agreement, it must definitively close all pathways toward an Iranian nuclear weapon. Congress must be closely consulted on a potential accord and should one be reached, any sanctions relief should only be granted as Iran demonstrates full compliance, with hesitation or backsliding met with swiftly reinstated sanctions. We cannot be afraid to walk away from the bargaining table if Iran does not agree to these basic terms.
"Congress has enacted and the Administration has effectively implemented biting sanctions and sustained diplomatic efforts that ultimately brought Iran to the negotiating table. I am ready to support the Administration's efforts to conclude a strong deal that guarantees our security and the region's, but we must remain firm on what it will take to achieve that goal.”
