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Pearce Statement On Iranian Nuclear Agreement

Rep. Steve Pearce (R) New Mexico

This morning the President announced that a final nuclear agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran had been reached. Just last Friday in Tehran, Iranians chanted “death to America, death to Israel” in the streets and burned the American flag. I cannot reconcile the two apparent contradictions. 

 

I believe the President’s deal will only accelerate Iran’s nuclear ambitions and ability to bring harm to Americans and our allies in the region. As Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns, this deal is “a bad mistake of historic proportions.” Our national security is in jeopardy, as the Administration allows a known state-sponsor of terror to accumulate the wealth and materials necessary for nuclear proliferation. Dangerously, the agreement does not reflect Tehran’s past nuclear development or deny its capability to build secret sites to support their ambitions.

 

Key components of the deal allow Iran to engage in global arms and ballistic missile sales well within the ten-year timeline. Permitting Tehran to buy, sell, and trade arms increases instability in the region and supports terror cells across the globe. Lifting the arms and ballistic missile embargoes directly threatens the survivability of our allies in the Middle East and bolsters states like Russia and China, who are eager to trade with the Islamic Republic.

 

I fear the sudden increase in capital due to sanctions relief would allow Iran to robustly support its terror organizations worldwide. For decades, Tehran has facilitated groups in Palestine, Hezbollah, and across the Middle East and North Africa, providing training, weapons, and capital. This rapid influx of money would gravely threaten our national security.

 

The President’s deal also allows Iran to export oil, which infringes upon the economic health of New Mexico. By lifting economic sanctions and ending oil sales embargo, oil prices are expected to decline. The U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts nearly 1,000,000 more barrels per day of Iranian oil will flood the market in just matter of months. This surge in oil supply will cost jobs across the state and affect government funding in New Mexico. 

 

Throughout the negotiations, this Administration conceded on matters of inspections, amount and composition of nuclear materials, and sanctions relief; the President’s inability to stand for principles makes our nation weak and ineffectual in negations to come in the foreseeable future.

 

The President must be willing to work with Congress – just as he has with the countries negotiating the deal. However, he has already threatened to veto any effort of congressional oversight. The short-sightedness of the Administration will harm the security of our allies, the safety of our nation, and the health of New Mexico’s economy.