Sen. Barbara Boxer Says She Will Support Iran Nuclear Agreement
WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer of California says she will support an agreement designed to curb Iran's nuclear program in exchange for relief from crippling economic sanctions.
Boxer, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, says sanctions will collapse if the U.S. walks away from the deal, leaving Iran with no constraints on its nuclear program.
"If we walk away from this deal, Iran would have no constraints on its nuclear program and the international sanctions that helped bring the Iranians to the table would collapse," Boxer said in a statement.
Boxer, who is Jewish, said she share's Israel's mistrust of Iran, but the agreement is based on an unprecedented inspections process.
"I understand and share Israel's mistrust of Iran, and that is exactly why we need this agreement – which is not based on trust, but on an unprecedented inspection and verification regime," Boxer said.
She also says support from Gulf states underscores how the deal is the only viable alternative to war with Iran.
Congress is in the midst of a 60-day review of the deal and has until Sept. 17 to vote on a resolution either approving or disapproving the pact.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.