Nebraska Panhandle News

U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts of Nebraska has led a group of 52 Senate Republicans in sending a letter to President Donald Trump, urging the administration to secure a deal with Iran that ensures the complete dismantlement of its nuclear program. The letter emphasizes the need for Iran to permanently relinquish any capacity for uranium enrichment.

"We write to express our strong support for your efforts to secure a deal with Iran that dismantles its nuclear program, and to reinforce the explicit warnings that you and officials in your administration have issued that the regime must permanently give up any capacity for enrichment," states the letter.

The senators argue against any agreement resembling the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), from which President Trump withdrew during his first term. They contend that such an agreement allowed Iran to continue enriching uranium and approach a nuclear breakout. The letter claims that despite criticism, Trump's maximum pressure campaign deterred Iran's nuclear progress.

The signatories criticize the Biden administration for reversing Trump's policies, which they say enabled Iran's advancement towards nuclear capability without securing reciprocal concessions from Tehran. They highlight concerns raised by the International Atomic Energy Agency regarding gaps in knowledge about Iran's nuclear activities due to developments over recent years.

The senators assert their readiness to support President Trump in securing national security interests, reiterating Congressional backing for eliminating Iran's uranium enrichment capabilities. Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff has stated within negotiations that "Iran must stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponization program."