Jewish Tennessee representative backs Iran deal

Tennessee Democratic Congressman Steve Cohen on Wednesday became the ninth Jewish lawmaker to indicate he will vote in favor of the Iran nuclear deal, which he said was “the most effective way” to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Cohen said that his decision came from close scrutiny of the agreement, “careful consideration and countless classified briefings,” meetings with International Atomic Energy Agency officials and listening to “hundreds of constituents” who oppose and support the accord.

He added that the success of the deal demands the international community’s unity to ensure that the limitations on Iran’s nuclear program are enforced.

“Through my intense study of this agreement, I am convinced that it is the most effective way to ensure Iran cannot build a nuclear weapon,” Cohen said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The agreement represents global consensus on that point as well, and its long-term success relies on the ongoing support and hard work of all involved nations, who I am convinced will continue to work together to guarantee compliance,” he added.

Cohen noted, though, that the deal has flaws and that “perfection simply isn’t an option.”

“If the United States does not follow through with this multilateral agreement, it would not only damage our nation’s global leadership, but result in a much more nuclear-capable Iran free to proceed as they wish without the thorough oversight this agreement allows,” he warned. “It would result in an Iran that might only be stopped through war—a catastrophic consequence for the United States, Israel, and the entire world.

In addition to Cohen, eight Democratic Jewish lawmakers, four from the Senate and four from the House of Representatives, have come out in support of the agreement.

All in all, 23 senators and 56 house representatives said they will vote yes on the deal.

Congress began a 60-day review of the nuclear agreement last month, with a vote expected in September.

In March, Cohen joined five other Jewish American lawmakers in skipping Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress about the Iran deal, organized by Republican leaders without informing the White House or congressional Democrats before the invitation to the Israeli leader was extended.

At the time, Cohen affirmed his strong Jewish identity and support for Israel, but accused Netanyahu and Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner of playing political games and engineering the speech as a tool to be wielded against the Obama administration.

Avi Lewis contributed to this report.