WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, yesterday joined Meet the Press Daily with Chuck Todd to discuss the Iran nuclear deal.
“I think he views it from a very negative perspective and in my opinion, he easily could have come in to the job of the presidency, listened to a number of classified briefings, and come to the conclusion that Iran is complying with the deal, and that the deal as it was negotiated does constrain their nuclear weapons program and does give us the opportunity to conduct inspections,” said Senator Coons. “He could then go on and say, but we need to do more. He doesn't have to blow up this deal this way, and I think the risks outweigh the benefits, and he's acting on his own advice to go ahead and to throw this hand grenade in the lap of Congress.”
Full video and audio available here.
Excerpts from the interview:
Senator Coons on what the president is going to do with the Iran deal: Well, what I think the president will be doing tomorrow is to send a message to Congress that he can no longer certify that the JCPOA, the Iran deal, is in the national security interests of the United States, but what he’s not going to do is to urge us to re-apply sanctions on Iran's nuclear program, or to take action directly to blow up the deal or withdraw from the deal himself. So he's signaling his intense dislike for the deal, but taking no concrete steps to undermine it or to leave it. I'm gravely concerned that this step will be misunderstood by our adversaries and our allies, that it will distance us from our European partners in the Iran agreement, and that it will lead to some mischief in Congress as forces begin to pile on. So I appreciate the time you're dedicating to this and it's important it be carefully reported and that folks listen closely to what is and is not being done by the administration here.
Senator Coons on his views of the deal: So what I like about the deal is that it has so far succeeded in restraining Iran's race towards getting nuclear weapons. What I have always been skeptical about is the duration and the scope of the deal. So there may have been some -- Right. That's the president's and some of his allies biggest concern.
Senator Coons on whether this is just to delay Iran’s efforts: That's not exactly right. The JCPOA doesn't ever give them permission to build a nuclear weapon, but it has sunset provisions. It becomes less constraining over time. Let me just try and simplify it. I strongly disagree with Iran's ongoing ballistic missile program, its support for terrorism, its human rights record, and so does virtually everyone in the Congress. That's why the Senate by a vote of 98-2 passed new sanctions powers to allow President Trump to go after Iran in those three areas. I think what we should be doing instead of having him de-certify this deal is to have a strong bipartisan action by members of Congress and the administration to work with our European allies, to push back on Iran's destabilizing actions in the region, and to begin negotiating the next deal, one that would extend beyond the terms of the JCPOA and try to get Iran to come to the table about their ballistic missile program and about their destabilizing support for terrorism in the region, and I think that's possible.
Senator Coons on what Congress is going to do in the 60-day period: Yes. My hope is that no one will introduce a bill reimposing sanctions. We'll all sort of hold our breath, look at each other and there will be no action taken.
Senator Coons on whether Senator Cotton will introduce a bill: I've actually been exchanging notes with Senator Cotton and hopeful he won't do that, that we will try to find a way to work in concert to try and tackle Iran's irresponsible actions, but there will be many members in Congress who will be tempted to take that step if they don't see that there’s a prospect of strengthening this deal by extending it or negotiating additional protections against Iran's ballistic missile program.
Senator Coons on Senator Corker: Well, I'll say this. I deeply respect Chairman Corker. He is my friend and my colleague. We've traveled together. We've legislated together. He is a conservative Republican, we have different policy views, but he is a truly hard-working, smart, engaging capable senator and has served as a terrific chairman of our committee, and the president launched this attack on him, his character and his willingness to stand up and fight for re-election. I was struck at how appointed Chairman Corker's response was. I don't think that it advances our national security or our foreign policy interests to have the president of the United States and the chairman of any of our committees whether it's Armed Services or Foreign Relations or others, to be publicly going after each other in quite this way. So it's my hope that things will calm down a little bit, but frankly, Chairman Corker has publicly expressed concerns about the president that I've heard privately expressed by many senators.
More on Corker and Republicans: Well, I'll tell that I share many of the expressed concerns that, there is a very capable, very seasoned foreign policy and national security team in place: Secretary Mattis, Secretary Tillerson, General McMaster, General Kelly are folks who have have a firm grasp of the international scene and allies and adversaries and I hope the president will rely on their advice. If the president were listening to publicly stated positions, we wouldn't be having this conversation about de-certifying the JCPOA. The president and Congress has heard recently from the secretary of defense and chairman of the joint chiefs they think it's in our best interest.
Senator Coons on Trump: I think the president is choosing to act on his own political insights and values. I think he campaigned very hard against this deal. I think he views it from a very negative perspective and in my opinion, he easily could have come in to the job of the presidency, listened to a number of classified briefings and come to the conclusion that Iran is complying with the deal, and that the deal as it was negotiated does constrain their nuclear weapons program and does give us the opportunity to conduct inspections. He could then go on and say, but we need to do more. He doesn't have to blow up this deal this way, and I think the risks outweigh the benefits, and he's acting on his own advice to go ahead and to throw this hand grenade in the lap of Congress.
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