Cramer Statement on Iran Nuclear Agreement

Press Release

Today, Congressman Kevin Cramer released the following statement after the announcement of a final nuclear agreement was reached with Iran.

"In March 2015, I joined 366 fellow members of the U.S House of Representatives in sending a letter to President Obama outlining our concerns and requirements for any nuclear deal with Iran. Any deal needed to: constrain Iran's nuclear infrastructure to ensure Iran has no pathway to a bomb and any agreement must be long lasting. In addition, any inspection and verification regime needed to allow for short notice access to suspected nuclear sites, and restraints on Iran's nuclear program must be verifiable and last for decades. The administration has agreed to gradually remove the current weapons embargo on Iran. Their ability to purchase state-of-the-art weapons systems as well as potentially acquiring intercontinental ballistic missile technology from Russia further destabilizes the middle east and threatens our nation's security. While I and most members of Congress have not had an opportunity to review the full agreement, I cannot support any deal with Iran unless these conditions are met because a bad deal is worse than no deal. I am also deeply concerned there has been no mention of the release of American citizens currently being detained in Iran. It is disconcerting to know the number one state sponsor of terrorism will suddenly have access to billions of dollars to put behind Hamas, Hezbollah, and other proxies inside the borders of middle-eastern nations. Past statements by Iranian leaders like "Israel's destruction is non-negotiable' have created an atmosphere of mistrust with Iran. The question I and many other Members of Congress will be asking ourselves is: Are we ready to trust a nation which continues to call for the destruction of Israel and "Death to America'?"

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