WASHINGTON: Republican leaders agreed on Friday to move a bill in the US Senate next week for giving Congress the power to alter a nuclear deal with Iran.

The P5+1 nations – Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States – and Iran agreed on a plan of action on Thursday to end Iran’s pursuit for a nuclear weapon. In return, the negotiators agreed to relax international sanctions on Iran. The deal has to be finalifed by June 30.

Senator Bob Corker, the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, said they would prepare the bill for a vote on April 14, a day after Congress would return to Washington after the spring break.

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This would give Congress ample time to pass the bill before the June 30 deadline for a final deal with Iran.

US President Barack Obama has threatened to veto such a legislation but Republicans hope that Congress Democrats will support them on this issue. A strong support from the Democrats will make it difficult for President Obama to veto the bill.

“Congress has a role to play in this process,” said Senator Ben Cardin, the ranking Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee.

“This framework and the ultimate agreement cannot be based on trust; there is no trust when it comes to Iran,” he said.

Nita Lowey, senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, warned that the administration officials will have a tough time convincing Congress “this deal is good for our long-term national security and that of our allies”.

Senator Corker said he would press forward on the bill that would give Congress power to alter the deal.

“If a final agreement is reached, the American people, through their elected representatives, must have the opportunity to weigh in to ensure the deal truly can eliminate the threat of Iran’s nuclear programme and hold the regime accountable,” he said in a statement.

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2015

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