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Obama promises to keep military options open in Iran nuclear deal Obama promises to keep military options open in Iran nuclear deal
(about 11 hours later)
Barack Obama is promising Democratic lawmakers that the US will continue to keep economic pressure on Iran – and keep military options open – if a nuclear deal with Tehran goes ahead.
Related: Congress does not have votes to block Iran deal, says Nancy PelosiRelated: Congress does not have votes to block Iran deal, says Nancy Pelosi
President Barack Obama is promising Democratic lawmakers that the US will continue to keep economic pressure on Iran – and keep military options open – if a nuclear deal with Tehran goes ahead.
Obama, in a letter addressed to New York Democratic representative Jerrold Nadler, said that if Iran rushes to build a nuclear weapon, “all of the options available to the United States – including the military option – will remain available”.Obama, in a letter addressed to New York Democratic representative Jerrold Nadler, said that if Iran rushes to build a nuclear weapon, “all of the options available to the United States – including the military option – will remain available”.
In the letter, which has been seen by the Guardian and was first published by the New York Times, the president also says the US will uphold sanctions targeting Iran’s non-nuclear activities, such as its support for Lebanon’s Hezbollah group and what Obama calls Iran’s “destabilising role in Yemen”.In the letter, which has been seen by the Guardian and was first published by the New York Times, the president also says the US will uphold sanctions targeting Iran’s non-nuclear activities, such as its support for Lebanon’s Hezbollah group and what Obama calls Iran’s “destabilising role in Yemen”.
“We have a wide range of unilateral and multilateral responses that we can employ should Iran fail to meet its commitments,” the letter goes on, citing the “snap back” provisions of the deal, which allow the US and its European partners to restore sanctions in the event of a breach by Tehran.“We have a wide range of unilateral and multilateral responses that we can employ should Iran fail to meet its commitments,” the letter goes on, citing the “snap back” provisions of the deal, which allow the US and its European partners to restore sanctions in the event of a breach by Tehran.
Obama wrote the letter, dated 19 August, from Martha’s Vineyard, where he is in the midst of a two-week vacation. While the president has made no public appearances during his vacation, he has been privately reaching out to Democratic lawmakers in a bid to boost support for the Iran deal.Obama wrote the letter, dated 19 August, from Martha’s Vineyard, where he is in the midst of a two-week vacation. While the president has made no public appearances during his vacation, he has been privately reaching out to Democratic lawmakers in a bid to boost support for the Iran deal.
Related: Iran nuclear deal: the key pointsRelated: Iran nuclear deal: the key points
On Thursday, Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, said she was confident House Democrats would have the votes if necessary to see the Iran deal through.On Thursday, Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, said she was confident House Democrats would have the votes if necessary to see the Iran deal through.
With a Senate vote looking increasingly secure for the president, Pelosi’s comments suggest it is now extremely unlikely that Congress will halt the deal.With a Senate vote looking increasingly secure for the president, Pelosi’s comments suggest it is now extremely unlikely that Congress will halt the deal.
Just two Democrats in the Senate – New York senator Chuck Schumer and New Jersey senator Bob Menendez – have defied Obama by publicly rejecting the deal.Just two Democrats in the Senate – New York senator Chuck Schumer and New Jersey senator Bob Menendez – have defied Obama by publicly rejecting the deal.
Congress will vote next month on a resolution of disapproval on the accord to curb Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for billions of dollars in sanctions relief.Congress will vote next month on a resolution of disapproval on the accord to curb Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for billions of dollars in sanctions relief.
Obama has picked up crucial support from Democrats in recent days, including Democratic senator Claire McCaskill, who said on Thursday that while the agreement was not perfect, it was clear to her that “the world is united behind this agreement, with the exception of the government of Israel”.Obama has picked up crucial support from Democrats in recent days, including Democratic senator Claire McCaskill, who said on Thursday that while the agreement was not perfect, it was clear to her that “the world is united behind this agreement, with the exception of the government of Israel”.
Related: I'll vote for the Iran nuclear deal because I want peace, not war | Hank Johnson On Friday, Nadler, who represents a heavily Jewish congressional district, came out in support of the nuclear agreement.
Nadler, who represents a heavily Jewish congressional district, is among the undecided Democrats. “The only decision that matters at this moment is whether to support or reject the agreement that is on the table now, not on whether we could or should have gotten a better deal,” Nadler wrote in an statement on Medium.
“I bring to my analysis the full weight of my responsibilities as a member of Congress, and my perspective as an American Jew who is both a Democrat and a strong supporter of Israel,” Nadler said. “Accordingly, I will support the agreement and vote against a Resolution of Disapproval.”
In his letter to Nadler, Obama emphasised US support for Israel, saying he views the country’s security as sacrosanct. He said he was committed to deepening missile defense funding and other military cooperation with Israel.In his letter to Nadler, Obama emphasised US support for Israel, saying he views the country’s security as sacrosanct. He said he was committed to deepening missile defense funding and other military cooperation with Israel.
The deal with Iran, Obama wrote, “is a very good deal for the United States, for the state of Israel, and for the region as a whole … No administration has done more for Israel’s security than mine”.The deal with Iran, Obama wrote, “is a very good deal for the United States, for the state of Israel, and for the region as a whole … No administration has done more for Israel’s security than mine”.
Associated Press contributed to this reportAssociated Press contributed to this report