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What Happens If Congress Says No to the Iran Deal?

(Washington Times) Kim R. Holmes - Robert Satloff, the executive director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, recently suggested that Congress vote "no" and re-adjust the terms of the Iran nuclear deal to correct some of its flaws. Most experts believe it would take until spring 2016 at the earliest for Iran to comply with the terms of the agreement. Since none of the U.S. sanctions will be suspended by then, there would still be time for the U.S. to take remedial measures to strengthen the deal. Among these could be reaching understandings with European partners "on the appropriate penalties to be imposed for a broad spectrum of Iranian violations." Other actions could include a clearer declaratory policy that military force will not be taken off the table, and ramping up tougher sanctions against Tehran's terrorist and other non-nuclear activities that destabilize the region. Strong sanctions are what forced whatever concessions Iran made. Keeping or strengthening sanctions enhances America's bargaining leverage. Even if Congress disapproves the deal, that leverage will remain. If Tehran responds to a congressional "no" vote by thumbing its nose at everybody, it will only be back where it started, which is not where it wants to be. Sure, the Iranians would bluster and threaten, but they would have no choice but to return to the bargaining table if they want the sanctions eliminated. The secretary of state called the prospects of a better deal a "fantasy." He's got it backwards. The real fantasy is the administration's promise that the current agreement will eliminate Iran's nuclear capability. The writer, a former assistant secretary of state, is a distinguished fellow at the Heritage Foundation.
2015-08-19 00:00:00
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