Mesabi Daily News: Nolan: Iran deal best way to stop ‘rogue nation’’
WASHINGTON — Eighth District U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan says the Iran agreement is the best way to stop the rogue nation from developing a nuclear bomb.
“Iran currently possesses the capacity to build a bomb in as little as 30 days. The agreement pushes that time frame back to at least a year and a half by removing two-thirds of its centrifuges for processing uranium and 98 percent of its enriched uranium stockpile,” the Democratic congressman said in a statement on Sunday that pledged his vote for the agreement.
Congress will be voting on the deal in September.
Nolan also said that if the U.S. does not approve it, war could possibly be the result.
“If the deal is rejected, our allies will desert us, international economic sanctions will fall apart, and a terribly expensive and destructive war in the Middle East will become a real possibility as Iran redoubles its efforts to develop a nuclear bomb. And Israel, our one true ally in the region, will be put in terrible danger,” he said.
Nolan said the agreement calls for a tough verification process, even though there are reports of a side deal that would allow Iran to do some self-inspections.
“The agreement is not based on trust — but on what some experts term the toughest and most verifiable nuclear verification and inspection process ever negotiated in the international community.
“We will have camera access and live tracking of their centrifuge production, and the ability to track any uranium mining in Iran for the next 25 years,” he said.
The congressman said, “This agreement best positions the United States and our allies to deal with Iran’s continuing challenge to our security, and the world’s.”