Biden Calls Trump’s Iran Decision A ‘Threat To America's National Security’
- 7 years ago
Former Vice President Joe Biden has blasted President Trump’s decision to refrain from recertifying the Iran nuclear-deal compliance.
Former Vice President Joe Biden has blasted President Trump’s decision to refrain from recertifying the Iran nuclear-deal compliance.
In a Facebook post Friday, Biden wrote that the move “goes against reason and evidence. It constitutes an unfounded and unnecessary threat to America's national security—one that inflicts lasting damage to American global leadership.”
“Unilaterally putting the deal at risk does not isolate Iran. It isolates us," he added.
Biden went on to argue that Trump “did not present a credible case...Instead, he is playing politics at the expense of the safety of every single American citizen.”
During his speech, the president explained his decision by saying, “Our policy is based on a clear-eyed assessment of the Iranian dictatorship, its sponsorship of terrorism, and its continuing aggression in the Middle East and all around the world.”
“The Iran deal was one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into," Trump later said.
In addition to criticizing the cash payments the U.S. made to Iran, he accused Iran of violating the agreement including intimidating and blocking international inspectors.
Nevertheless, Biden pointed out the damage America’s credibility would suffer on the world stage as a result, writing, in part, “After today, what incentive would the leadership in North Korea have to sit down with the United States, China, and other partners to negotiate a diplomatic resolution to the escalating nuclear crisis?....After today, what is America's word worth in the world?”
As such, he implored Congress, which is now responsible for the deal’s fate, to “recognize the damage reimposing sanctions on Iran, in violation of our own obligations under the deal, will cause.”
According to the Wall Street Journal, top Republican lawmakers including Senate Foreign Relations Chair Bob Corker have been working with the administration on adding tighter restrictions to the deal.
However, it may be a challenge getting the changes passed in the Senate, as 60 votes are needed, and Democrats are largely in favor of keeping the existing agreement--signed by former President Obama--in place.
Former Vice President Joe Biden has blasted President Trump’s decision to refrain from recertifying the Iran nuclear-deal compliance.
In a Facebook post Friday, Biden wrote that the move “goes against reason and evidence. It constitutes an unfounded and unnecessary threat to America's national security—one that inflicts lasting damage to American global leadership.”
“Unilaterally putting the deal at risk does not isolate Iran. It isolates us," he added.
Biden went on to argue that Trump “did not present a credible case...Instead, he is playing politics at the expense of the safety of every single American citizen.”
During his speech, the president explained his decision by saying, “Our policy is based on a clear-eyed assessment of the Iranian dictatorship, its sponsorship of terrorism, and its continuing aggression in the Middle East and all around the world.”
“The Iran deal was one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into," Trump later said.
In addition to criticizing the cash payments the U.S. made to Iran, he accused Iran of violating the agreement including intimidating and blocking international inspectors.
Nevertheless, Biden pointed out the damage America’s credibility would suffer on the world stage as a result, writing, in part, “After today, what incentive would the leadership in North Korea have to sit down with the United States, China, and other partners to negotiate a diplomatic resolution to the escalating nuclear crisis?....After today, what is America's word worth in the world?”
As such, he implored Congress, which is now responsible for the deal’s fate, to “recognize the damage reimposing sanctions on Iran, in violation of our own obligations under the deal, will cause.”
According to the Wall Street Journal, top Republican lawmakers including Senate Foreign Relations Chair Bob Corker have been working with the administration on adding tighter restrictions to the deal.
However, it may be a challenge getting the changes passed in the Senate, as 60 votes are needed, and Democrats are largely in favor of keeping the existing agreement--signed by former President Obama--in place.