Jun 25 2015

Obama Administration Should Suspend Nuclear Negotiations Until Iran Repudiates Provocative Actions on Nuclear Inspections and Sanctions Relief

Contact: Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417 or Lorcan Connick (202) 224-5972

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today said the Obama Administration should suspend nuclear negotiations unless Iran repudiates provocative statements and actions taken this week regarding their nuclear program.

Graham noted the recent actions include:

• This week the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei, said on state-run Iranian television “all economic, financial and banking sanctions, implemented either by the United Nations Security Council, the United States Congress or the Administration, must be lifted immediately when the deal is signed.” Graham supports a gradual, not immediate, relaxation of sanctions to ensure Iranian compliance with any agreement.

• The Iranian Parliament and the Guardian Council earlier this week approved legislation that bars international inspectors from access to Iranian military sites as part of any nuclear deal. Graham has pushed for a complete accounting of past Iranian work on nuclear weapons to ensure the potential military dimensions of the program are understood and can be monitored to ensure compliance.

“Secretary Kerry, now is the time for you and President Obama to send a clear message to the Iranians,” said Graham. “Repudiate these two statements or we will not negotiate any further.” http://bit.ly/1fG8Lvi

“How can you lift sanctions and go forward and give them money until you know exactly what they’ve been up to in the past?” questioned Graham. http://bit.ly/1fG8Sa9

“God help us all if we enter into a deal with this regime that’s not sound, with every ‘I’ dotted and every ‘T’ crossed because the Iranians have been cheating, lying about their nuclear ambitions for well over a decade. And at the end of the day, you can’t trust the Iranians.” http://bit.ly/1KdcMTf

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NOTE:

After the floor speech, Graham also sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry detailing his concerns (here).