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              Nuclear Experts Issue Support for Iran Nuclear Deal

   by Amanda Scott

   Calling it "strong, long-term, and verifiable," a group of arms control
   and nuclear nonproliferation specialists have come out in support of an
   international pact aimed at restraining Iran's nuclear program.

   The Washington-based [1]Arms Control Association says the agreement
   "advances the security interest of the P5+1 nations, the European
   Union, their allies and partners in the Middle East, and the
   international community."

   [2]In its statement, the group says the deal establishes long-term,
   verifiable restrictions on Iran's nuclear program and ensures "any
   future effort by Iran to pursue nuclear weapons, even a clandestine
   program, would be detected promptly."

   The statement comes just weeks before the U.S. Congress votes to
   approve or reject the deal.
   Among the more than 70 signatories in support of the agreement were the
   former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency Hans Blix, and
   John Ahearne, former chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
   Commission. It also was endorsed by former U.S. and U.N. officials, as
   well as dozens of members of groups aimed at preventing the use of
   nuclear weapons.

   The deal would bar Tehran from building a nuclear weapon in exchange
   for lifting United Nations and Western sanctions that have crippled the
   country's economy. Opponents say provisions to verify that Iran is
   complying with the accord are too weak.

   Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-TN) recently
   urged Congress to reject the deal, calling the inspections process
   within it "deeply flawed."

   In an [3]opinion-based article, published Monday by The Washington
   Post, Corker said "this deal will become the linchpin of the United
   States' Middle East strategy."

   "We will be relying on Iran to help achieve our goals in Iraq, Syria
   and perhaps elsewhere. This abrupt rebalancing could have the effect of
   driving others in the region to take greater risks, leading to greater
   instability," Corker wrote.

   The U.S. Congress has until mid-September to vote on the deal.

   U.S. President Barack Obama has promised to veto likely congressional
   votes disapproving the accord. Two-thirds votes in both chambers would
   be required to override it.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [4]http://www.voanews.com/content/nuclear-experts-issue-support-for-ira
   n-nuclear-deal/2922623.html

References

   1. http://www.armscontrol.org/
   2. http://www.armscontrol.org/files/Nonpro_Specialist_statement_on_Iran_Deal_Aug_2015.pdf
   3. http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/congress-should-reject-the-bad-iran-deal/2015/08/17/0c983c78-44f3-11e5-8ab4-c73967a143d3_story.html?hpid=z3
   4. http://www.voanews.com/content/nuclear-experts-issue-support-for-iran-nuclear-deal/2922623.html