Byrne Opposed to Extension of Iran Nuclear Talks

Congressman Bradley Byrne (AL-1) , a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today questioned the Obama administration’s decision to extend nuclear talks with Iran through late November.

The nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers, including the United States, first began last November. In exchange for relief from sanctions, Iran has reportedly agreed to rein in portions of their nuclear program.  An agreement couldn’t be reached by the July 20 deadline, which led to the State Department agreeing to extend the talks.

According to the Wall Street Journal, in exchange for continuing the nuclear talks, the United States will give Iran access to “an additional $2.8 billion in oil export revenues frozen abroad by American sanctions.”

Byrne said: “I am opposed to the continuation of nuclear talks with Iran, just as I was highly skeptical of these talks from the start.  I fear that Iran is actually closer to having nuclear weapons capabilities today than when these talks started.

“While I do believe that the United States should use diplomacy and sanctions to rein in Iran’s nuclear program, I seriously doubt the legitimacy of these talks. I fear by offering to ease economic sanctions even more, the United States is putting Iran on stronger economic footing without any incentive to actually reduce their nuclear arsenal.

“Just how many times will these talks be extended? At what point will Secretary of State John Kerry put his foot down and demand action from Iran? I will continue to work with my colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee to provide diligent oversight as these talks move forward.”