[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 20167]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      NUCLEAR AGREEMENT WITH IRAN

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, according to press reports, this 
administration may be just weeks away from lifting sanctions on Iran. 
This is despite Iran's recent actions that indicate they have little 
intention to comply with the terms of the agreement called the Joint 
Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as the Iran nuclear deal. Most 
recently, the International Atomic Energy Agency released the final 
report on the possible military dimensions of the Iranian nuclear 
program. It is quite clear Iran was less than cooperative with the 
International Atomic Energy Agency. For some reason, despite Iran's 
stonewalling, the President seems intent and confident that they know 
the extent of Iran's past nuclear weaponization work.
  It is important to remember the evolution of the importance of this 
information. In April 2015, Secretary Kerry stated in an interview that 
Iran must disclose its past military-related nuclear activities as part 
of any final deal. His words on this matter were unequivocal.
  He stated:

       They have to do it. It will be done. If there's going to be 
     a deal it will be done. It will be part of the final 
     agreement. It has to be.

  Just a few weeks later, when it was clear President Obama's 
administration was ready to surrender to Iran's demands on this issue, 
Secretary Kerry said that we didn't need a full accounting of Iran's 
past activities. He said the U.S. intelligence agencies already had 
``perfect knowledge'' of Iran's activities.
  Just a few days ago, the International Atomic Energy Agency released 
their report, which was supposed to be a comprehensive overview of 
Iran's nuclear program and their past military dimensions of that 
program. Because of Iran's obstruction, the report is far from 
comprehensive--as we were promised.
  The International Atomic Energy Agency report essentially concludes 
what many of us have known for a very long time. Iran was working 
toward developing nuclear weapons capability and they have continually 
lied and continually misled the international community regarding that 
program. The International Atomic Energy Agency also concluded that 
Iran's nuclear weapons program was in operation until 2009, several 
years later than many believed.
  President Obama repeatedly stated that the nuclear agreement was 
based on unprecedented verification. Yet it is very clear from the 
International Atomic Energy Agency report that Iran had no intention of 
cooperating with the requirement that they come clean on their nuclear 
program. In many areas, the International Atomic Energy Agency 
indicated that Iran provided little information, misleading responses, 
and even worked to conceal portions of that program.
  Many of the questions around the Parchin military facility remain 
unanswered. This report from the International Atomic Energy Agency 
states:

       The information available to the Agency, including the 
     results of the sampling analysis and the satellite imagery, 
     does not support Iran's statement on the purpose of the 
     building. The Agency assesses that the extensive activities 
     undertaken by Iran since February 2012 at the particular 
     location of interest to the Agency seriously undermined the 
     Agency's ability to conduct effective verification.

  An effective verification was what we were promised. The Iranians 
were actively working to cover up and destroy any evidence of their 
weaponization efforts at Parchin. On many occasions, Iran refused to 
provide any information or simply reiterated previous denials. Iran 
refused to cooperate and instead continues to deceive the international 
community on the military dimensions of its nuclear program. Some may 
wonder why we should even care about this. It matters because a 
complete and accurate declaration of all nuclear weapons activity is a 
critical first step in the verification regime and the safeguard 
process that the International Atomic Energy Agency will be asked to 
enforce and something we put our confidence in. I shouldn't say ``we'' 
because I didn't vote for it--but something this country puts its 
confidence in this Agency's ability to enforce. There must be a 
baseline declaration to ensure effective international monitoring going 
forward.
  It also matters because President Obama entered into an agreement, 
along with our allies, to provide sanctions relief in exchange for Iran 
giving up its efforts to develop nuclear weapons. It matters because it 
is clear we do not have ``perfect knowledge''--which we were promised--
of what Iran is up to, as Secretary Kerry has claimed. It also matters 
because since the agreement was finalized, Iranian leadership has not 
changed their behavior. If anything, they have increased their 
hostility. Here are some examples of hostility: On October 10, Iran 
launched a long-range ballistic missile. This is clearly in violation 
of Security Council Resolution 1929. Then, on November 21, Iran 
launched another ballistic missile.
  It is clear that Iran has no intention to comply with the ballistic 
missile restrictions of this deal. These are blatant violations. How 
are we supposed to have any faith in this agreement or Iran's intent to 
comply? Iran did not comply with the International Atomic Energy 
Agency. They have continued to test ballistic missiles. They continue 
to hold Americans hostage. A Washington Post reporter has been 
imprisoned for more than 500 days and was recently convicted of 
unspecified charges in a sham trial. Iran has no intention to honor any 
of their obligations under this deal. It is naive to think otherwise. 
As a recent Wall Street Journal editorial put it, ``The larger point is 
that the nuclear deal has already become a case of Iran pretending not 
to cheat while the West pretends not to notice.''
  I hope President Obama and his administration finally wake up and 
quickly recognize Iran's track record of noncompliance. Iran cannot and 
should not be rewarded with sanctions relief. The international 
community should not reward Iran with sanctions relief while Iran 
doubles down on its confrontational and uncooperative behavior. They 
should not be given hundreds of billions of dollars while continuing to 
defy and deceive the international community.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mrs. McCASKILL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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