WASHINGTON (JTA) – A bipartisan group of U.S. senators on Thursday called on President Joe Biden to aim for a broad deal in Iran that would ban Tehran’s missile program, regional operations and a nuclear weapons program.
“Looking ahead, we strongly believe that you should use the full power of our diplomatic and economic instruments with our friends on the United Nations Security Council and in the region to reach an agreement that will prevent Iran. from ever acquiring nuclear weapons and significantly limiting its destabilizing activity across the Middle East and the ballistic missile program, ”said the letter sent to Biden, led by Robert Menendez, a Democrat in New Jersey, and Lindsey Graham Republican of South Carolina.
Menendez chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and Graham is a ranking member.
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Biden has reiterated his desire to rescind Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal, which traded sanctions relief for restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program. The White House has said Iran must return first to comply with the terms of the treaty, while Tehran is seeking sanctions relief before reopening the agreement, putting both sides at the same level .
Sen. Lindsey Graham, Republican-South Carolina, will speak at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, November 10, 2020. (Susan Walsh / AP)
Former President Donald Trump terminated the treaty in 2018 and again imposed sanctions on Iran, which walked away from the agreement by breaking the boundaries of uranium enrichment and other measures. Several other powers in the world remain committed to the agreement.
Biden wants to negotiate tougher contracts for an agreement with Iran, including by limiting missile production and unbalancing actions in the sector.
Republicans oppose repeating the treaty, and Thursday’s letter, signed by 43 senators, did not address whether the 2015 treaty should be revived in any way, or go back for a new agreement.
The letter also highlighted the widening of differences between the parties when it comes to Iranian policy – only 14 of the signatories to the Democrats. The letter was backed by the American Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a major anti-Israel lobby group.
The letter also calls on Biden to consult with friends, including Israel, in discussing Iranian policy, which the White House has previously said it would do so.
