Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation

Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation

  • Policy Issues
    • Fact Sheets
    • Countries
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Non-Proliferation
    • Nuclear Security
    • Biological & Chemical Weapons
    • Defense Spending
    • Missile Defense
    • No First Use
  • Nukes of Hazard
    • Podcast
    • Blog
      • Next Up In Arms Control
    • Videos
  • Join Us
  • Press
  • About
    • Staff
    • Boards & Experts
    • Jobs & Internships
    • Financials and Annual Reports
    • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Search
You are here: Home / Iran Diplomacy / Statement by Former SFRC / Intelligence Staffer on Menendez-Graham Iran Letter

July 11, 2014

Statement by Former SFRC / Intelligence Staffer on Menendez-Graham Iran Letter

Washington DC – July 11, 2014 – News Release – As the July 20 deadline for a nuclear deal with Iran looms, the Center for Arms Control & Non-Proliferation today released a statement by National Advisory Board Member Edward Levine. Levine, who provided trenchant analysis of the Menendez-Kirk bill last year, comments on the new letter on Iran being circulated by Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

“The underlying demand that Iran dismantle all its ‘illicit nuclear infrastructure’ is simply not a feasible negotiations outcome. So, if the signatories really mean what that phrase says, then they do not want these negotiations to succeed,” says Levine, who spent more than 14 years as a senior professional staff member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and over 20 years with the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Additionally, Levine points out that, “The idea of demanding independent P5+1 monitoring seems rather risky. If we demanded and got such a role for ourselves, then Russia, China and Germany would surely do the same. That could easily lead to a situation in which the coalition members put out differing inspection results, busting the coalition – and the prospect of renewed international sanctions – apart.”

Members of the P5+1 (the United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom, France, and Germany) are meeting with Iran now in advance of a July 20 deadline for an extension of negotiations or a final deal.

“To release a letter with such unworkable stipulations at this time sends a clear message that Senators Menendez and Graham are not interested in obtaining a realistic deal,” adds Center Director of Middle East and Defense Policy Laicie Heeley, “It is important that we secure an agreement that prevents a nuclear-armed Iran. To do so, negotiators must not be boxed in at this late stage by unreasonable political jockeying by some members of Congress.”

####The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation is a Washington-based non-profit think tank working to reduce the number of nuclear weapons stockpiled across the globe, increase international nonproliferation programs targeted at preventing the further proliferation of nuclear weapons and nuclear terrorism, redirect U.S. military spending to address 21st century security threats and halt the proliferation of biological and chemical weapons. www.armscontrolcenter.org

Posted in: Iran Diplomacy, Press & In the News on Iran Diplomacy, Press Releases, Press Room

Tweets by Nukes of Hazard

Recent Posts

  • Reflecting on the past, present, and future of women in nuclear security March 30, 2023
  • Next Up – It’s Your Turn  March 27, 2023
  • Germany walks fine line on nuclear weapons March 24, 2023
  • Russia-Ukraine War Threatens to Trigger New Nuclear Arms Race March 22, 2023
  • A Major Clue to COVID’s Origins Is Just Out of Reach March 21, 2023
Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation

820 1st Street NE, Suite LL-180
Washington, D.C. 20002
Phone: 202.546.0795

Issues

  • Fact Sheets
  • Countries
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Non-Proliferation
  • Nuclear Security
  • Defense Spending
  • Biological and Chemical Weapons
  • Missile Defense
  • No First Use

Countries

  • China
  • France
  • India and Pakistan
  • Iran
  • Israel
  • North Korea
  • Russia
  • United Kingdom

Explore

  • Nukes of Hazard blog
  • Nukes of Hazard podcast
  • Nukes of Hazard videos
  • Front and Center
  • Fact Sheets

About

  • About
  • Meet the Staff
  • Boards & Experts
  • Press
  • Jobs & Internships
  • Financials and Annual Reports
  • Contact Us
  • Council for a Livable World
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

© 2023 Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation
Privacy Policy

Charity Navigator GuideStar Seal of Transparency