Message From Senator Durbin RE: Iran

Mr. William Rosen

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Lombard, IL 60148-1176

 

Dear Mr. Rosen:

 

Thank you for contacting me about diplomatic negotiations with Iran. I appreciate hearing from you.

 

In November, Secretary of State John Kerry announced an agreement to extend talks with Iran on its nuclear program for an additional seven months. This extension allows for a continuation of the existing interim agreement, which relieves roughly $700 million a month that had been frozen abroad as a result of sanctions. Ayatollah Ali Khameini, Iran’s supreme leader, recently announced support for an extension of the talks.

 

I cosponsored S. Res. 40, which supports these ongoing negotiations with Iran. This resolution states that while the Senate is prepared to enact additional sanctions, this should only be done in the event that negotiations fail, Iran violates the Joint Plan of Action, or Iran violates any final comprehensive agreement on its nuclear program.

 

The possibility that Iran intends to develop or acquire nuclear weapons presents the United States and the international community with very real national security concerns. It also threatens any diplomatic relationship with Iran.

 

The United States and our allies should use the diplomatic tools at our disposal to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons. We should also work to encourage Iran to adhere to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and support peace and stability in the region, especially because it borders both Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

 

I will keep your concerns in mind as Congress considers U.S. policy toward Iran.

 

Thank you again for contacting me. Please feel free to stay in touch.

 

 

 

Sincerely,

Richard J. Durbin

United States Senator

 

RJD/kp