Oakland, CA – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement on news that negotiators from P5+1 and Iran reached a deal to extend nuclear talks for three months:
“The current framework agreement with Iran is actively reducing Iran’s nuclear program, delaying ‘break out’ capacity, and providing inspections and verification to prevent the advancement of their nuclear program.
This extension continues important restrictions and safeguards on Iran’s nuclear program while moving us toward a long-term deal that will support our national security and global peace. This extension creates the diplomatic space for that deal to be achieved.
As we work towards a final deal to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, we cannot allow critics in Congress to undermine diplomatic negotiations with new sanctions that would violate the first-step framework agreement that is currently restricting Iran’s nuclear program.”
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The diplomats, meeting in Vienna, announced a three month extension of the framework agreement that is limiting Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for slight sanctions relief.
To date, Iran has complied with the terms of the interim agreement that effectively freezes Iran’s nuclear program. The agreement ended work at the Arak reactor, eliminated Iran’s stockpile of 20 percent enriched uranium and allows for intrusive daily inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities
Diplomatic established a deadline of March 1, 2015 for a framework agreement and a final agreement by July 1, 2015.
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Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Whip’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity.