Fifteen Senate Democrats are urging President Barack Obama to secure more transparency from the inspectors tasked with verifying Iran’s compliance with last year’s controversial nuclear deal, according to a letter obtained by POLITICO.
Led by Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, the Democrats are asking Obama to use the federal government to push the International Atomic Energy Agency to publish details about Iran’s nuclear program to ensure independent verification that they are following the terms of the deal, which relaxed sanctions on Iran in return for a drawdown of its nuclear arms program.
The IAEA has found that Iran is in compliance with the deal, but is not fully disclosing the amount of centrifuges Iran is using to enrich Uranium nor the amount of enriched Uranium that Iran currently has, the Democrats said,
“In addition to lacking vital information on the status of Iran’s uranium stock and enrichment capabilities, the report leaves out vital details on Iranian facilities. The report does not comment on the progress made in transitioning Fordow to a research facility or provide updates on the redesign of the Arak heavy water research reactor. This data is critical for ensuring the ability to independently verify Iran’s compliance,” reads the letter.
“Providing additional situational awareness of Iran’s nuclear program is vital for the long-term health of this agreement,” the letter continues. “We urge your administration to ensure that the IAEA releases all relevant technical information so that we may continue to make our own judgments about the status of Iran’s nuclear program.”
In addition to Peters, the letter is signed by Sens. Tammy Baldwin (Wis.), Michael Bennet (Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Cory Booker (N.J.), Bob Casey (Pa.), Chris Coons (Del.), Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.), Tim Kaine (Va.), Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), Debbie Stabenow (Mich.), Jon Tester (Mont.), Mark Warner (Va.), Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.) and Ron Wyden (Ore.).
All of them supported the deal, which is now a year old and is facing renewed attacks from Republicans.
Source: Politico, 15 July 2016
