US senators are urging President Joe Biden to refuse to return to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran as they push for keeping sanctions against Tehran in place.
A number of Republican senators, led by Senator Rick Scott, introduced a resolution expressing opposition to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and urging Biden to work with Congress and refuse to re-join the deal without significant reform.
“President Trump was right to abandon the reckless Iran nuclear deal that President Obama got us into, and I’m proud my colleagues joined me today to oppose re-joining this deal without major changes," he said.
"The sanctions the Trump administration levied on Iran are working, and must remain in place until Iran fully cooperates and their ability to develop nuclear weapons and produce ballistic missiles is permanently removed," he added.
Scott further warned that the new administration must be responsible about this, Saying that Biden should work with the Congress to protect national security and the interests of America and that of Israel.
Also, Senator Joni Ernst joined Scott by asserting that Iran poses major threat in the US as well as in the Middle East.
“Iran continues to pose a serious threat, not only on the global stage as they are allowed to advance their unfettered ballistic missile capacities, but also in the Middle East, as they continue to support and finance terrorist organization proxies that destabilize the region, endangering American service members and our partners."
"President Biden’s first responsibility is to keep the nation safe, and that includes making sure Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon," she added in her remarks.
Ernst stressed that the JCPOA was not even enough to permanently dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, adding that Tehran has continued with its destabilizing activities.
"Even to discuss rejoining the original Iran Nuclear Deal right now is unwise. To appease this terrorist state could be catastrophic, and I’m proud to join my colleagues in this important resolution,” she noted.
The proposed resolution was also supported by Senator Kevin Cramer who warned that the nuclear deal jeopardizes the security of the allies in the region and the US people.
"Re-entering it without significant changes would endanger the world. Instead of retrying what already failed, President Biden should work with Congress to develop a strategy to properly combat this state sponsor of terrorism.”
