WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on the one-year anniversary of last summer’s nuclear agreement with Iran:
“One year ago, the international community reached an agreement to further one of America’s most important foreign policy priorities: preventing Iran from developing or obtaining a nuclear weapon. The nuclear deal has so far done what it was intended to do. But in the months and years to come, those of us determined to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran have a responsibility to undertake consistent, clear-eyed assessments of how the agreement fares. That means acknowledging both its successes and its shortcomings.
“Iran’s compliance with the nuclear deal has not reflected a change in the regime’s provocative behavior outside the scope of the agreement. Iran continues to conduct illegal ballistic missile tests, support terrorism throughout the Middle East, and violate the human rights of its people, its neighbors, and visitors. We must remind this administration and future administrations – and the world – of the threat posed by Iran and its nuclear ambitions, deal or no deal. That’s why our oversight and enforcement of the nuclear agreement must be relentless, and our opposition to Iran’s dangerous actions vigorous. Congress must work together to strengthen the administration’s ability to push back on Iran’s behavior outside the deal.
“While pursuing international engagement and multilateral diplomacy, we must always maintain a credible conventional military deterrent to protect American interests and our partners in the Middle East, especially our vital ally, Israel. On all fronts, if this agreement is to succeed in preventing a nuclear-armed Iran, Congressional oversight will remain absolutely critical. I intend to uphold my commitment to scrutinizing enforcement of this nuclear deal and pushing back on Iran’s dangerous behavior as long as I have the privilege to represent the people of Delaware.”