Royce slams Iran deal at House hearing

Ed Royce, Republican of California and chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, opens the hearing on the Iranian nuclear deal with a critique of its terms.

Royce slams the deal for its sanctions relief, failure to dismantle its nuclear technology, and limited inspections.

“Instead of us considering a verifiable, enforceable, and accountable agreement, we are being asked to consider an agreement that gives Iran permanent sanctions relief for temporary nuclear restrictions. Should Iran be given this special deal?” asks Royce.

“First, Iran is not required to dismantle key bomb making technology. Does that make the world safer? Second, it is permitted a vast enrichment capacity, reversing decades of bipartisan nonproliferation policy. Does that make the region more stable? And third, Iran is allowed to continue its research and development to gain an industrial scale nuclear program once this agreement begins to expire in as little as ten years. Ten years. That’s a flash in time, and then Iranian obligations start unwinding. Does this make the world more secure?” says Royce.

Royce says the international inspections, which can take up to 24 days, are a “far cry from ‘anytime, anywhere’ inspections.”

“We appreciate President Obama’s effort to secure the most intrusive inspections in history – but it came up short,” he says.

“While the administration has professed absolute knowledge about Iran’s program, it is a fact that we have been surprised by most every major nuclear development in Iran’s history. And Iran has cheated on every agreement they’ve signed.”

Royce says that if the deal goes through, Iran will get a “cash bonanza” — a phrase used by Netanyahu to describe the benefits Tehran will reap — “a boost to its international standing, and a lighted path toward nuclear weapons.”

Royce urges continued US sanctions on Iran.