WASHINGTON
Secretary of State John Kerry led a trio of Obama officials into another confrontational congressional hearing Tuesday as the administration seeks to gain support from lawmakers on an Iran nuclear deal.
Their case, however, appeared to largely fall on deaf ears.
“Iran has cheated on every agreement they have signed,” House Foreign Affairs Chairman Rep. Ed Royce said during the hearing.
“So I ask, Mr. Secretary, has Iran earned the right to be trusted?” Royce asked Kerry, who testified alongside Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew.
Despite their opposition, America’s top diplomat implored lawmakers to support the deal, saying, "everything that we have tried to prevent will now happen".
“If we walk away, we walk away alone. Our partners are not going to be with us. Instead they will walk away from the tough multilateral sanctions that brought Iran to the negotiating table in the first place,” Kerry said. “We will have squandered the best chance that we have to solve this problem through peaceful means.”
Insisting that “nothing in this deal is built on trust,” Kerry said the agreement is founded “on very specific steps that have to be taken”.
Iran agreed to unprecedented inspections of its nuclear program with world powers in exchange for relief from sanctions that have imperiled its economy. The deal was reached in Vienna earlier this month after nearly two years of tense negotiations.
Tuesday’s testimony is the second in less than a week before lawmakers as the Obama administration seeks to gain support during a critical 60-day review period.
At least some within Congress have started to voice support for the nascent accord with Rep. Sandy Levin, a vocal supporter of Israel, saying in a statement that he believes it provides for Tel Aviv’s security.
“I believe the agreement offers the best option to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon,” Levin said. "I believe that Israel, the region, and the world are far more secure if Iran does not move toward possession of a nuclear weapon. I believe the agreement is the best way to achieve that."
In a particularly terse showdown, Rep. Scott Perry challenged Kerry's motivations for brokering the agreement, asking him if he represents the United Nations, or U.S. interests.
Kerry responded, "Congressman, I don't need any lessons from you about who I represent. I've represented and fought for our country since I was out of college.
"Don't give me any lessons about that, OK? Now, let me just make it crystal clear to you. This is in America's interest, because America is the principal guarantor of security in the region and particularly with respect to some of our closest friends," Kerry said.
