The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) praises Democratic Congresswoman Maloney (D-NY) for her conscientious decision opposing the dangerous deal with Iran (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA).
Congresswoman Maloney’s powerful statement opposing the Iran deal displayed an understanding of both the deal’s grave shortcomings – such as the deal’s failure to block Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons – as well as the larger context which makes the deal’s grave shortcomings even more dangerous. Congresswoman Maloney’s statement referenced (with hyperlinks) several key documents demonstrating the dangers of the Iran deal and Iran’s untrustworthiness as a deal partner, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’s November 2011 report. The IAEA report specified numerous areas in which Iran has continuously failed to meet its pre-existing nuclear non-proliferation commitments. Iran has still NOT resolved the items described in the IAEA’s November 2011 report. Section G of the IAEA’s November 2011 report, entitled “Possible Military Dimensions” noted, among other issues, that:
“Since 2002, the Agency [IAEA] has become increasingly concerned about the possible existence in Iran of undisclosed nuclear related activities involving military related organizations, including activities related to the development of a nuclear payload for a missile, about which the Agency has regularly received new information. . . . .
The information indicates that Iran has carried out the following activities that are relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device:
- Efforts, some successful, to procure nuclear related and dual use equipment and materials by military related individuals and entities;
- Efforts to develop undeclared pathways for the production of nuclear material;
- The acquisition of nuclear weapons development information and documentation from a clandestine nuclear supply network ; and
- Work on the development of an indigenous design of a nuclear weapon including the testing of components .”
In addition, Congresswoman Maloney’s statement references President Obama’s own admission that breakout time will have shrunk to almost zero by year 13 of the deal.
Also, Congresswoman Maloney’s correct conclusions that Iran will continue bankrolling terrorist groups, and that at least a portion of the Iran’s massive windfall from the deal will very likely to find its way into the hands of terrorists, included references to the Unclassified Portion of the Secretary of Defense’s Report on Iran’s Military Power, which describes Iran’s expansionist goals and extensive support to terrorist regimes. This Defense Department report states the following (and includes far more detail):
“The Iranian regime uses the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-GF) to clandestinely exert military, political, and economic power to advance Iranian national interests abroad. IRGC-QF global activities include: gathering tactical intelligence; conducting covert diplomacy; providing training, arms, and financial support to surrogate groups and terrorist organizations . . . . Iran provides Lebanese Hizballah and Palestinian terrorist groups – notably, HAMAS, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP-GC) – with funding, weapons, and training to oppose Israel and disrupt the Middle East Peace Process. The IRGC-QF is Iran’s primary vehicle for providing materiel and lethal support to Lebanese Hizballah, which Iran views as an essential partner for advancing its regional policy objectives. . . . . Iran provides Kata’ib Hizballah (KH) – an Iraqi Shia terrorist group- and other Iraqi militant groups with weapons and training.”
Congresswoman Maloney announced her opposition to the Iran deal just one day after ZOA activists participated in a counter-protest opposing the Iran deal in front of Congresswoman Maloney’s Manhattan office. See related article about the counter-protest here.