releases: http://lance.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/lance-asks-iaea-what-else-might-iran-be-hiding
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://lance.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/lance-asks-iaea-what-else-might-iran-be-hiding | Lance Asks IAEA: What Else Might Iran Be Hiding? | 2015-12-04 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | NJ | Leonard Lance | L000567 | lance.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07), co-chair of the House Republican Israel Caucus, fired off a letter today to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) asking the organization to further investigate Irans nuclear program as a new report has concludedIran formerly worked to build a nuclear weapon despite Irans claims to the contrary during the Obama Administrations nuclear negotiations earlier this year. In a letter toits IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano, Lance wrote, It would not be prudent for the IAEA to acquiesce to Irans requests to close the probeIran has not been able to answer questions credibly about the military aspects of its nuclear program. The refusal to provide the IAEA with answers to a myriad of concerns about its nuclear ambitions, including apparent preparations for a nuclear test. Lance also raised the issue of whether Iran could also have concealed possible coordination with known terroist allies, Considering Irans dishonesty on the objectives of its nuclear program and its role as a leading state sponsor of terror including potential coordination with leaders of groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, the IAEA probe should continue. In order to certify Irans future compliance with the JCPOA it is imperative that international regulators such as the IAEA have a clear picture of the past military dimensions of Irans nuclear program. Lances letter comes before a critical December 15thmeeting of the IAEA when terminating the probe will be considered. The Honorable Yukiya Amano Director General International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre, PO Box 100 A-1400 Vienna, Austria Dear Director General Amano: I write to encourage the International Atomic Energy Agency to keep open its probe into the possible military dimensions of Irans nuclear program. Given the findings in the IAEAs upcoming report that evidence of military dimensions exist and Irans continued refusal to cooperate fully, I believe it would be appropriate for the IAEA to continue its investigation past December 15, 2015. According to the report, Iran has not been able to answer questions credibly about the military aspects of its nuclear program. The refusal to provide the IAEA with answers to a myriad of concerns about its nuclear ambitions, including apparent preparations for a nuclear test and its work at the Parchin facility, does not bode well for its future compliance with the JCPOA and indicates that it would not be prudent for the IAEA to acquiesce to Irans requests to close the probe. Considering Irans dishonesty on the objectives of its nuclear program and its role as a leading state sponsor of terror including potential coordination with leaders of groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, the IAEA probe should continue. In order to certify Irans future compliance with the JCPOA it is imperative that international regulators such as the IAEA have a clear picture of the past military dimensions of Irans nuclear program. While I have significant concerns about the JCPOA, I recognize that the IAEA has a crucial role in its implementation and verification. Closing the probe into Irans past nuclear program is premature when many questions remain while Iran continues to be uncooperative. It would not set the tone of robust enforcement needed to ensure Irans compliance with the JCPOA. I respectfully ask that you consider keeping the probe open when the IAEA next meets on December 15, 2015. Sincerely, Leonard Lance Member of Congress | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |