The Iran Project Releases Statement in Support of the JCPOA and Diplomacy
The Iran Project, along with 47 former diplomats and leaders from the national security community, issued a statement warning against U.S. withdrawal from the international nuclear agreement with Iran, as long as it is complying with the terms of the JCPOA. Together, they recommend a comprehensive policy toward Iran that furthers U.S. national security interests and pushes back against Iran’s threatening actions in the region.
“The international agreement with Iran continues to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon,” the signers write. “No American national security objective would be served by withdrawing from it as long as Iran is meeting the agreement’s requirements.” Unilaterally withdrawing “would have grave long term political and security consequences for the United States.”
A recent New York Times editorial echoes the positions of the statement, saying that “[i]nstead of questioning the deal, Washington could turn its attention to concerns about Iran’s nonnuclear activities... A more imaginative policy would revive the secretary of state channel to resolve conflicts before they grow and explore solutions for Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen and Iraq.”
Notable signatories include former National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft, former Ambassadors to Israel Thomas Pickering, Daniel Kurtzer and Edward Walker; former Deputy Commander for Special Operations Command Lieutenant General Frank Kearney; former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, former Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Richard Lugar and former Chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee Lee Hamilton. RBF President Stephen Heintz, a cofounder of the Iran Project, also signed.
Related Links:
The Iran Project: “Statement on a Comprehensive Policy to Constrain Iran” (August 8, 2017)
The New York Times: “Before You Rip Up That Iran Deal...” (August 14, 2017)