N.Y. Congressman: Iran Deal Makes Additional Sanctions ‘More Likely’

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Sunday that he is “disappointed” with the nuclear deal made Saturday between Western nations and Iran, and he voiced his intention to enact further sanctions.

“I am disappointed by the terms of the agreement between Iran and the P5+1 nations because it does not seem proportional,” Schumer said in a written statement. He added that the agreement does not sufficiently reduce the country’s nuclear capabilities, a view that makes a push for more sanctions by the Senate likely in December.

Talking Points Memo reports:

“Iran simply freezes its nuclear capabilities while we reduce the sanctions,” he said. “This disproportionality of this agreement makes it more likely that Democrats and Republicans will join together and pass additional sanctions when we return in December. I intend to discuss that possibility with my colleagues.”

Schumer said that reducing sanctions in Iran will not provide enough incentive for Iran to halt its nuclear weapons program.

“It was strong sanctions, not the goodness of the hearts of the Iranian leaders, that brought Iran to the table, and any reduction relieves the psychological pressure of future sanctions and gives them hope that they will be able to gain nuclear weapon capability while further sanctions are reduced,” he said. “A fairer agreement would have coupled a reduction in sanctions with a proportionate reduction in Iranian nuclear capability.”

Schumer is a member of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a lobby that favors the policies of the current Israeli leadership, including and especially its belligerent attitude toward Iran. The organization has “applauded” the sanctions that make life hell for many Iranians and that may be lifted as a result of the new deal.

— Posted by Alexander Reed Kelly.