Sen. Warren Tells Us Why She Supports Iran Agreement

(This caricature of Sen. Warren "dancing" with President Obama is by DonkeyHotey.)

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), one of the best progressives in either house of Congress, is supporting the agreement President Obama has reached with Iran. Here is what she has to say:

"A nuclear-armed Iran threatens the United States, Israel, and the world. The question now before Congress - the only question before Congress - is whether the recently-announced nuclear agreement represents our best available option for preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. After carefully reviewing the text of the agreement, consulting with experts both in and out of government and receiving extensive briefings from President Obama, Secretary of State Kerry, and Secretary of Energy Moniz, I am convinced that it does.

"This agreement presents a comprehensive set of restrictions to block Iran's path to a nuclear bomb. It allows us continuous access to key facilities and imposes stringent verification measures to ensure that Iran's entire fuel cycle is peaceful. If Iran cheats, we will be able to respond with the strength and support of the world behind us. If at any point the United States doubts Iran's compliance, the agreement gives the United States extraordinary power to re-impose sanctions unilaterally.

"I do not trust the Iranian regime, which continues to terrorize its neighbors and to undermine international peace and stability, and this deal does not end our significant disputes with Iran. Existing sanctions for Iran's sponsorship of terrorism and human rights abuses will remain in place, and we must continue to work with the international community to counter Iran's dangerous behavior. But it is far easier to counter the ambitions of an Iran that has no nuclear weapon than it is to counter an Iran that can threaten the world with a nuclear bomb.

"This nuclear agreement takes no options off the table. If it ultimately fails, future actions to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran will only be enhanced by the knowledge we gain from closely monitoring the Iranian nuclear program throughout the length of the deal. If it ultimately succeeds, we will have neutralized a grave threat without resorting to war. Those who oppose this deal have not disputed these facts and have presented no realistic alternatives. Because I believe that this deal is our best available option, I support it."