Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Trump’s move to decertify the Iran nuclear deal is “an appropriate response to the consequences of the Obama administration’s failed policies.”
“I am committed to working with the Trump administration to constrain Iran’s support for terrorism and proxy militias, impede the threat of ballistic missiles and deny Iran the path to a nuclear weapon,” McConnell said. “Strengthening the criteria attached to a presidential certification is solely within the powers of the American government and based on making the verification of the JCPOA more in keeping with our national interests.”
McConnell, R-Ky., joined other Republicans in praising Trump’s announcement. Republicans have long been critical of the agreement, arguing it would not stop Iran from developing a nuclear program. Iran has continued to test ballistic missiles and support terrorism in the region.
McConnell said Trump’s announcement will enable Congress to work with him on strengthening the international agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Trump on Friday refused to affirm that the nuclear deal negotiated by former President Barack Obama is in the national security interests of the United States. But he declined to impose sanctions on Iran which would shred the pact; instead, Trump and his congressional allies hope to pressure Iran and European leaders to negotiate new restrictions on the regime’s aggression.
