Rep. Engel cautious on Iran nuclear deal

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A deal on Iran’s nuclear program and the re-establishment of diplomatic ties with Cuba have made for a historic summer. Rep. Eliot Engel, whose district includes the northwest Bronx, mostly welcomed the re-opening of the U.S. and Cuba’s embassies to each other. But he voiced concern about key parts of a deal to lift sanctions on Iran in exchange for limits on its nuclear program.

With Congress given 60 days to review the July 14 agreement between Iran, the U.S. and five other countries, Mr. Engel said in a Monday phone interview that he is not taking a position on it until he has considered every detail.

But the congressman was quick to add, “I have some trepidation about the deal. That’s why I want to learn more about it. There are aspects of the deal that are troublesome to me.”

Mr. Engel explained he is concerned that a cap on Iran’s supply of enriched uranium, a key ingredient for a nuclear bomb, lasts 15 years under the terms of the deal.

“You can say it’s better than nothing and in 15 years, hopefully things will change on the ground,” the congressman said. “Maybe that’s true. But the fact is, there’s no limitation on them after 15 years. That probably disturbs me more than anything else.”

Mr. Engel also said lifting financial sanctions on Iran is cause for concern in light of the Middle Eastern country’s support of terrorism.

“Iran continues to be the largest supporter of international terrorism in the world,” he said. “[Terrorist groups] will now be able to have a lot more funding for terrorism because Iran is going to have a lot more money and it’s not going to be under restrictions like it is now.”

Mr. Engel, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, often speaks out in support of Israel. Asked what he thought of recent comments from Israeli leaders including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who have excoriated the nuclear deal, the congressman pointed out Iran has concerned a number of its neighbors.

Rep. Eliot Engel, Iran, nuclear deal, Shant Shahrigian
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