State Department Suggests Sanctions Relief before Iran Comes Clean about Past Nuclear Weapons Work
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, responded to reports today that the Obama administration still is prepared to accept concessions regarding full disclosure of Iran’s past attempts to develop a nuclear weapon, including permitting sanctions relief before those issues are fully resolved.
"Last year, the administration assured our committee that the questions and concerns regarding Iran’s previous weaponization efforts would be resolved before a final agreement is reached and any sanctions relieved,” said Corker. “Secretary Kerry’s comments this week and efforts to walk them back have only raised further doubts about the administration holding firm on demands that Iran come clean about past military aspects of its nuclear program. The administration should walk away and make good on their promise that no deal is better than a bad deal if there is anything less than full disclosure up front from Iran and the ability to conduct inspections anytime, anywhere.”
Attempting to clarify Secretary of State John Kerry’s remarks from earlier in the week, U.S. Department of State spokesperson John Kirby appeared to reiterate similar concessions regarding demands that Iran reveal past military aspects of its nuclear program. Kirby also suggested sanctions relief could occur “as” Iran begins meeting those obligations after a final agreement.
Last year in testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. lead negotiator Wendy Sherman assured the committee that possible military dimensions of Iran’s nuclear program would be resolved “before” a final agreement and “all the sanctions…will remain in effect until those concerns are addressed”.
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