Larson to Host Second Public Forum on Iran Agreement

Hartford, CT – Since the announcement of the historic agreement reached between the United States, our global allies, and Iran, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) has listened to opinions and concerns from those on both sides of the issue. After careful consideration of all the facts, Larson endorsed the agreement on July 31.

“Obviously this is a complex issue, and there is a significant amount of information to be debated and considered,” said Larson. “In the hopes of providing more information and gathering additional feedback from constituents, I will be hosting my secondforum on the Iran Nuclear Agreement on Thursday, August 27.

“Though there are risks involved no matter the course of action, I firmly believe this agreement is our best chance to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. I know some have expressed serious concerns about trusting Iran, but this deal is not about trust—it’s about verification. The information I received through the Congressional briefing process assures me that the United States has the scientific, economic, and military superiority to enforce this agreement, and it in no way limits our ability to continue to hold the regime accountable for a wider range of issues outside the scope of the agreement. Should Iran attempt to violate the terms, we would have the support and approval of our allies abroad.

“On the other hand, rejecting this deal would leave Iran with little incentive to curb its nuclear program. It is very likely that the United States would once more face military operations in the Middle East. We have been down this road before, and we have seen where it leads. Too often that means putting the brave men and women who serve our country in harm’s way.”

In the weeks since the announcement of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPA), Larson has attended numerous briefings both classified and otherwise with officials in the State Department and intelligence community. He has also spoken directly with President Obama, and gathered feedback from constituents and advocacy groups on both sides of this agreement. A timeline of his recent work on this issue can be found here.

The above event is open press.

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