A group of Republicans sent a Wednesday letter to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken sharing their concerns over reports that the Biden administration is working to bring back the Obama-era Iran deal.
The Daily Caller first obtained the letter which was spearheaded by House Oversight Committee Ranking Member Rep. James Comer. He was joined by National Security Ranking Member Rep. Glenn Grothman, North Carolina Rep. Virginia Foxx and House Oversight Republicans.
In the letter, the Republicans say that the reports of the Biden administration’s attempt to restore the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, otherwise known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), are concerning and explain why they believe it would be a bad idea to start new Iran nuclear negotiations and said there is no reason for us to be using U.S. taxpayer dollars on a country that is a state sponsor of terror.
“The reports of ongoing negotiations with Iran raise serious concerns about why the Administration is willing to engage and provide U.S. taxpayer dollars to a country adverse to America’s interest. Iran is a state sponsor of terror, and once in the possession of a nuclear capability, could weaponize it against our nation and our allies,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter.
“The U.S. should not engage in negotiations with such a barbaric regime. President Biden’s refusal to allow ample access to domestic oil and gas resources calls into question his motives for cutting a deal that might allow Iran to export oil,” they continued. (RELATED: As Biden Pushes For Cooperation With Iran, Europe Tries To Put It On Hold)
READ THE LETTER HERE:
(DAILY CALLER OBTAINED) — … by Henry Rodgers
The lawmakers also said that new nuclear negotiations with Iran will put Americans’ lives at risk and the rest of the world.
“We are very concerned that these new Iran nuclear negotiations by the Biden Administration will put Americans and the rest of the world at risk. While the President is already required to keep Congress ‘fully and currently informed of any initiative or negotiations with Iran relating to Iran’s nuclear program, including any new or amended agreement,’ we have questions about key staff leaving the Department because of the Administration’s negotiation strategy,” they continued. (RELATED: Republicans Blast Biden Administration For ‘Giving Away The Store’ To Iran In Sanctions Negotiations)
The lawmakers then called for a staff-level briefing on Biden’s reported efforts to revive the JCPOA and “the current nuclear non-proliferation strategy” no later than April 6, 2022.
“Deal or no deal, we will continue to work together and with other partners to counter Iran’s destabilizing behavior in the region,” Blinken said Sunday during a meeting with in Israel with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.