BICOM

US Congress began to consider the nuclear deal with Iran yesterday with a hearing at the Senate foreign relations committee, which was attended by US Secretary of State John Kerry and other senior officials.

The agreement which was reached last week between Iran and the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany), for whom Kerry acted as chief negotiator, will likely see international sanctions lifted in return for a slowdown in Iranian nuclear development over the next decade. However, Congress now has 60 days to assess and vote on the nuclear accord, but would need a two thirds majority to override a presidential veto.

Yesterday’s hearing was the first public clash between Administration officials and Republicans hostile to the agreement, since it was agreed. Kerry was joined by Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, who all answered questions on the accord. Kerry argued that “this is a good deal for the world, a good deal for America, a good deal for our allies … and we think it does deserve your support.” He explained that the agreement is a “stronger, more comprehensive, more lasting means of limiting Iran’s nuclear program than any alternative that has been spoken of.”

However, Kerry and his colleagues faced fierce criticism from Republican committee members opposed to the deal. Committee chairman Bob Corker said bluntly, “I believe you’ve been fleeced,” and that the deal gives Iran “a perfectly aligned pathway” towards nuclear armament. Similarly, fellow Republican James Rich commented, “With all due respect, you guys have been bamboozled and the American people are going to pay for that.”

Among the issues raised by Senators, Robert Menendez and James Risch asked whether the deal allowed Iran itself to collect soil samples at the Parchin site for evaluation by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Kerry said that such information is “classified” and is part of a “confidential agreement” between Iran and the IAEA.