US GENERALS, ADMIRALS SIGN LETTER IN SUPPORT OF IRAN AGREEMENT

 

US GENERALS, ADMIRALS SIGN LETTER IN SUPPORT OF IRAN AGREEMENT 

 

General James Cartwright, former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is one of the signatories of the letter to back Iran agreement.

Tue Aug 11, 2015 10:9PM 


Retired United States generals and admirals have signed a letter to back the nuclear agreement between Iran and the global powers. 

The retired brass said there existed “no better option” than the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) reached between Tehran and P5+1 and backed by the UN Security Council in July, The Washington Post reported on Tuesday.

The letter was the latest expression of support to the administration of President Barack Obama, engaged in nuclear negotiations with the Islamic Republic, amid opposition by the Republican-weighted Congress in the backdrop of a row between US dominant parties.

“And if the deal is rejected by America, the Iranians could have a nuclear weapon within a year. The choice is that stark,” read the letter.

Iran has time and again said that it pursues solely civilian purposes in its nuclear energy program.

The letter was signed by senior generals and flag officers, including four-star Marine Gens. James Cartwright, former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Joseph P. Hoar, former head of the US Central Command; and Gens. Merrill McPeak and Lloyd W. Newton of the US Air Force.

Last weekend, 29 leading American scientists wrote a letter to Obama, calling the agreement, reached in Vienna on July 14, “technically sound” and “innovative.”

JCPOA will “provide the necessary assurance in the coming decade and more that Iran is not developing nuclear weapons,” it read, adding, the historic agreement “will advance the cause of peace and security in the Middle East and can serve as a guidepost for future non-proliferation agreements.”

The Obama administration has to retain enough Democratic votes in support of the agreement as pro-Israelis are busy campaigning against final approval of any accord with Tehran by the Congress.

http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/08/11/424329/us-iran-army-jcpoa-nuclear-congress-obama