Statement by National Security Network Board Members on Iran Nuclear Talks

Statement by National Security Network Board Members

April 3, 2015

The framework agreement announced April 2 between the P5+1 nations and Iran represents historic progress toward the goal of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.  While much work remains to be done to achieve an effective and verifiable comprehensive agreement, the framework agreement demonstrates that the Obama Administration and international partners have taken a responsible approach to the negotiations and have reached a deal that will ensure the peaceful and civilian nature of Iran’s nuclear program.

We support the Administration’s efforts to build on the framework agreement to reach a comprehensive agreement by June 30^th. A negotiated resolution to the nuclear issue is the only sustainable way to contain the Iranian nuclear threat. By tying sanctions relief to Iranian compliance, with an intrusive inspections package designed to verify that Iran adheres to the agreement’s provisions, the United States quadruples Iran’s breakout time to a year.

The framework agreement represents a significant achievement in the history of global non-proliferation efforts as well as in U.S.-Iran relations. A comprehensive final agreement would demonstrate that the United States can secure major security interests without the use of force, even if it must deal with one of its long-standing adversaries. It is our hope that a final comprehensive agreement will demonstrate that the United States can pursue its interests in the Middle East without increasing the level of conflict in that volatile region.

Sandy Berger

Jeremy Bash

Daniel Benjamin

Michael Cohen

Daniel Cruise

Michael Hanna

Bruce Jentleson

Brian Katulis

David Mercer

Maria Otero

Dan Restrepo

Jeremy Rosner

Julianne Smith

Nancy Soderberg

Tara Sonenshine

Mona Sutphen

To download the PDF, click here.

 

Secretary Kerry Poses for a Photo With P5+1 Leaders and Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif Following Negotiations About Future of Iran’s Nuclear Program. [State Department, 4/2/15]