The Iranian government has American blood on its hands. It vows to kill more Americans. It’s committed to destroying Israel. It supports terrorism throughout the Middle East to help achieve those and other horrific goals.
For decades, American foreign policy, under both Democratic and Republican administrations and Congresses, has wisely insisted there can be no marriage between nuclear weapons and Iran and the terrorist organizations it sponsors — ever.
This common-sense, bipartisan position has been critical to keeping Americans safe at home and abroad. Several months ago, the Obama Administration abandoned this prudent national security stance.
In Congress, I will vote against the dangerous one-sided agreement negotiated between Iran and the United States and six other world powers. Until the vote, I will continue to push my colleagues to do the same.
If this short-sighted agreement is not stopped, Iran will be granted a frightening pathway to nuclear weapons. America and the world will be less safe.
Here’s why I will vote against the proposed Iran deal:
First, it does not dismantle Iran’s nuclear arms program as repeatedly promised by the administration. Rather, the deal freezes some work and allows other research to continue. It recklessly kicks the nuclear can down the street. In 10 short years, anything goes.
Second, Iran will be rewarded with more than $100 billion in frozen assets when crippling economic sanctions are lifted. Some of this money will surely be funneled to Iran’s terrorist proxies who butcher those who disagree with their radical ideology, including Americans.
Third, Iran will be welcomed back into the world economy and allowed to sell its oil, trade with other countries and use the global banking network to transact business. This, along with the $100 billion infusion, will revive its crumbling economy and generate the tax revenues needed to build nuclear arms.
Fourth, the loose inspections process is not “anytime, anywhere” as originally guaranteed by the administration of President Barack Obama. Iran can delay inspections for more than two months for previously undisclosed nuclear sites, allowing it to hoodwink International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors. Iran has perfected the delay/deceive/cheat dance just like North Korea, which now possesses nuclear weapons. Two weeks ago, we learned about a side deal permitting Iranian personnel to inspect their own sites.
Fifth, in five years, Iran will be allowed to buy, sell and manufacture conventional weapons. In eight years, Iran may acquire or develop long-range missiles that can be used to attack other nations, including the United States. Administration negotiators surprised Congress by including these deadly terms in the nuclear agreement.
The Obama Administration and its Congressional supporters hope the radical mullahs will see the light and abandon their quest to become a nuclear military power. Hope is not an acceptable national security strategy, especially against brutal national leaders who chant “Death to America!”
The President claims that our only choice is to approve this bad deal or go to war. This is simply not true.
In 1979, Iranian militants stormed our embassy in Tehran and held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days. Since then, its extreme government has steadily fed terrorists with funding, conventional arms, training, intelligence and diplomatic cover in its patient quest to dominate the Middle East. Adding nuclear weapons to its arsenal would be the crown jewel in imposing its regressive ideology on freedom-loving peoples and their countries.
Belligerent nations like Iran best respond to strong, measured opposition. They keep pushing until they feel resistance. Contrary to the president’s statement, approving this soft deal would increase the probability of military conflict because it would legitimize Iran’s long-term nuclear weapons program and ramp up its economy to fund it. Approving the deal would also encourage other Middle East nations to step up their own defenses with atomic arms.
The president and members of Congress should ask themselves an obvious question: Why would a country with the fourth largest proven oil reserves and the second largest natural gas reserves seek nuclear energy? We all know the answer — to develop atomic weapons.
The best way to protect our homeland and citizens is to continue the tough economic sanctions and weapons embargo on Iran. For those countries wanting to normalize relations with this dark regime, force them to choose between doing business with the United States or with Iran.
That reality check will hold together plenty of economic and diplomatic leverage until we negotiate a better deal that works for all peace-loving nations, not just an aggressive Iran.
A growing majority of Americans reject the dangerous nuclear agreement with Iran. The People’s representatives in Congress should listen. Do not allow this oppressive regime, that is committed to killing Americans and destroying Israel, to become a nuclear military power — ever.
U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin is a Republican who represents Maine District 2 in the U.S. House of Representatives. He lives in Oakland.
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