Obama, Kerry Ask Lawmakers to Give Iran Nuclear Deal Time

President Barack Obama hailed the nuclear framework agreement with Iran as a “good deal” that paves a path toward a final accord that would prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

“If this framework leads to a final, comprehensive deal, it will make our country, our allies, and our world safer,” the U.S. president said at the White House.

Speaking from the Rose Garden after the framework deal over Iran’s nuclear program was announced, Obama called on lawmakers to give Tehran a chance to follow through on the promises it made by the June 30 deadline. He said the only alternative would be military action to stop Iran from pursuing a bomb.

“If we can get this done and Iran follows through on the framework that our negotiators agreed to, we will be able to resolve one of the greatest threats to our security and to do so peacefully,” Obama said.

“If Congress kills this deal not based on expert analysis, and without offering any reasonable alternative, then it’s the United States that will be blamed for the failure of diplomacy,” the president added, a reference to Republicans and some Democrats who want to give Congress the power to approve or reject a deal.

In Lausanne, Switzerland, where the framework agreement was reached, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, speaking to reporters shortly after the president, also appealed to lawmakers to give Iran time to show its commitment to the agreement.

“The political understanding with details that we have reached is a solid foundation for the good deal we are seeking,” Kerry said. But he also offered a note of caution, adding that many technical details still need to be worked out.

Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said soon after Obama’s remarks that he still plans to bring the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 to a committee vote on April 14. The legislation is supported by many Republicans, as well as some Democrats, including co-sponsors Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), who pleaded not guilty to public corruption charges Thursday, April 2; Tim Kaine (D-Va.); Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.); and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

“Rather than bypass Congress and head straight to the U.N. Security Council as planned, the administration first should seek the input of the American people,” Corker said in a statement. Recent polls suggest that the Iran deal has the support of about 50 to 60 percent of the U.S. public, though many doubt Iran’s willingness to fully comply.

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in a statement urged fellow lawmakers to have patience and hold off on anything that could “potentially jeopardize this historic opportunity to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.” Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) also called on lawmakers to hold off on any action that could scuttle the deal.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) said Congress should allow Iran time to show its commitment.

“Congress must restrain itself from unhelpful actions in the coming months. It is not constructive to demand a ‘better deal’ that no negotiator could secure,” the Oregon lawmaker said in a statement.

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