Tonko Statement on U.S. Exit from Iran Nuclear Agreement

Statement

Congressman Paul D. Tonko issued the following statement after reports that President Trump will break the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), sometimes referred to as the Iran nuclear agreement:

"If our goal is to keep Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, today's announcement is a big step in the wrong direction. The 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, which the U.S. entered into with our allies and other world powers, pulled Iran back from the brink of nuclear armament. It showed the world that diplomacy and cooperation could stop Iran's nuclear weapons development. As a result, instead of a nuclear-armed regime, Iran's uranium stockpiles and centrifuges have now been severely limited and the international community has unprecedented access to conduct inspections.

"President Trump's regrettable decision to break the terms of that agreement ensures we will not fulfill commitments America made with other world powers and the government of Iran. It devastates America's credibility as a global leader. And it increases the likelihood of Iranian nuclear weapons development. The Iran nuclear agreement has made us and our allies in the Middle East safer. With this announcement, President Trump is singlehandedly putting that in jeopardy."

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