Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Schiff Statement on Iran Negotiations

Washington, DC -- Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), the Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement:

“While important details still need to be worked out, the framework agreement between Iran and the P5+1 indicates that a negotiated resolution of Iran's nuclear program may be possible.  While I reserve judgment on whether a final deal will materialize or would enjoy my support, enough progress has been made to warrant the additional time necessary to determine if the remaining issues can be resolved.  In the interim, Congress must ensure that its actions do not preclude reaching an acceptable agreement or be seen as scuttling a peaceful path to ending Iran's nuclear ambitions.

"Many significant parameters of a comprehensive agreement have been set out, and in greater detail than many, myself included, believed would be possible during this stage of the negotiations.  These critical variables -- the number of centrifuges, generation of centrifuges, permissible research, location of uranium stockpiles, duration of an agreement, intrusive nature of inspections, pace of sanctions relief, availability of a snap back in sanctions, among other matters -- are set out with a certain degree of specificity.  Nonetheless, within each criteria there remain important uncertainties and I would encourage all members of Congress to withhold judgment until we see whether and what a final package might include. 

"Preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons is a vital national security imperative for the United States and our allies.  Every option must be on the table; importantly, that includes the diplomatic option the P5+1 has been pursuing. Critical issues remain, but this framework indicates that a negotiated resolution may be possible, and I congratulate the P5+1 on its work thus far."

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