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Dear
Al.
As you read this, a
Massachusetts delegation is joining me and dozens of Peace Action lobbyists from
around the country, walking the halls of Congress meeting with lawmakers and
their staff to push for a peaceful solution with Iran. Less than a month
away from a crucial negotiating deadline, you can join these peacemakers by
being a peace lobbyist right from your own
computer!
The international community (P5+1) is in the midst of historic talks to allay the concern that Iran might acquire a nuclear weapon. These negotiations have a soft deadline of July 20th, but may need an extension. A successful deal will leave Iran with a long enough “breakout time” – the time it would take to build a nuclear weapon if Iran decided to do so – that the international community would have time to act, while providing Iran with enough sanctions relief that it would limit its nuclear program and open it to significant inspections.
Please write your congressional delegation and ask them to support negotiations with Iran leading to an agreement.
Experts agree that a military strike on Iran would at best delay any nuclear program and at worst start a disastrous war in the Middle East. Additionally, a military strike would likely embolden Iranian hardliners and ironically could push Iran closer to a decision to pursue a nuclear weapon.
The IAEA continues to report that Iran has cooperated with all of its requests. Since the negotiations started at the beginning of the year, Iran has reduced its enriched uranium stockpile, stopped installing centrifuges and increased transparency and international access to key facilities.
This may be the only opportunity to reach a deal with Iran with limited costs. If negotiations are scuttled, that could lead to a number of unacceptable consequences. Including:
• A failed deal would probably strengthen hardliners in both the U.S. and Iran making future negotiations more difficult.
• War becomes likely: If diplomacy fails, the U.S. is left with two bad options: containment or military action. Also, this would likely push Israel closer to a military strike.
• Sanctions could collapse: The international sanctions regime could crumble if the U.S. spoils a good deal with Iran either by overplaying its hand in negotiations or not upholding its end of the bargain. To keep other countries on board with sanctions, the U.S. cannot be seen as sabotaging a deal.
• Iran could march toward a nuclear weapon: Without limits and intrusive inspections, Iran could move closer to a nuclear weapon and the U.S. would be left in the dark.
An effective agreement will verifiably reduce Iran’s nuclear capability and put in place an inspections regime - unprecedented in scope and frequency - that could detect any movement toward building a nuclear weapon. In exchange for this transparency and limiting of its nuclear program, Iran would receive significant sanctions relief. A deal will likely limit the quantity and quality of Iran’s centrifuges, reduce the Arak heavy water reactor capability to produce weapons-grade plutonium and will open the Fordow underground enrichment facility and other key locations to significant inspections.
A successful deal could lead to more trust and therefore opportunities to tackle other challenges with Iran:
• Iran may be more open to discuss ballistic missile issues and support of terrorism.
• Iran will be instrumental in solving the internal conflicts in Iraq and Syria.
• A good agreement will also be one small step towards a Weapons of Mass Destruction free zone in the Middle East.
• Long-term sanctions relief will open Iran to increased trade with the U.S. benefiting both countries.
Please take a few moments now to write your two Senators and your Representative. Then, forward this email to your friends, family and colleagues.
The international community (P5+1) is in the midst of historic talks to allay the concern that Iran might acquire a nuclear weapon. These negotiations have a soft deadline of July 20th, but may need an extension. A successful deal will leave Iran with a long enough “breakout time” – the time it would take to build a nuclear weapon if Iran decided to do so – that the international community would have time to act, while providing Iran with enough sanctions relief that it would limit its nuclear program and open it to significant inspections.
Please write your congressional delegation and ask them to support negotiations with Iran leading to an agreement.
Experts agree that a military strike on Iran would at best delay any nuclear program and at worst start a disastrous war in the Middle East. Additionally, a military strike would likely embolden Iranian hardliners and ironically could push Iran closer to a decision to pursue a nuclear weapon.
The IAEA continues to report that Iran has cooperated with all of its requests. Since the negotiations started at the beginning of the year, Iran has reduced its enriched uranium stockpile, stopped installing centrifuges and increased transparency and international access to key facilities.
This may be the only opportunity to reach a deal with Iran with limited costs. If negotiations are scuttled, that could lead to a number of unacceptable consequences. Including:
• A failed deal would probably strengthen hardliners in both the U.S. and Iran making future negotiations more difficult.
• War becomes likely: If diplomacy fails, the U.S. is left with two bad options: containment or military action. Also, this would likely push Israel closer to a military strike.
• Sanctions could collapse: The international sanctions regime could crumble if the U.S. spoils a good deal with Iran either by overplaying its hand in negotiations or not upholding its end of the bargain. To keep other countries on board with sanctions, the U.S. cannot be seen as sabotaging a deal.
• Iran could march toward a nuclear weapon: Without limits and intrusive inspections, Iran could move closer to a nuclear weapon and the U.S. would be left in the dark.
An effective agreement will verifiably reduce Iran’s nuclear capability and put in place an inspections regime - unprecedented in scope and frequency - that could detect any movement toward building a nuclear weapon. In exchange for this transparency and limiting of its nuclear program, Iran would receive significant sanctions relief. A deal will likely limit the quantity and quality of Iran’s centrifuges, reduce the Arak heavy water reactor capability to produce weapons-grade plutonium and will open the Fordow underground enrichment facility and other key locations to significant inspections.
A successful deal could lead to more trust and therefore opportunities to tackle other challenges with Iran:
• Iran may be more open to discuss ballistic missile issues and support of terrorism.
• Iran will be instrumental in solving the internal conflicts in Iraq and Syria.
• A good agreement will also be one small step towards a Weapons of Mass Destruction free zone in the Middle East.
• Long-term sanctions relief will open Iran to increased trade with the U.S. benefiting both countries.
Please take a few moments now to write your two Senators and your Representative. Then, forward this email to your friends, family and colleagues.
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For peace,
Shelagh ForemanProgram Director P.S. The U.S. is involved in historic negotiations with other nations and Iran to ensure Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon. Unfortunately, some in Congress continue to thwart progress. Write Congress now to support a successful deal which could occur in the next month. After you take action, please share this email with others. |
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