Deal framework announced
Iran and six major world powers clinch an historic nuclear framework agreement and announce key parameters for resolving a long-standing dispute over Iran’s nuclear program. European Union Foreign Affairs Minister Federica Mogherini:
Today we have taken a decisive step. We have reached solutions on key parameters for a comprehensive future nuclear deal.
‘It is a good deal’
Obama claims that the framework agreement with Iran over nuclear issue is a ‘good deal’ and would prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
I am convinced that if this framework leads to a final deal, it will make our country and the world safer. [The deal would] cut off every pathway that Iran could take to develop a nuclear weapon.
Deal threatens Israel
Netanyahu tells Obama that Israel opposes the nuclear framework agreement with Iran.
A deal that is based on this framework will threaten Israel’s existence… The alternative is to stand firmly and increase pressure on Iran until a better deal is reached.
Vows to abide by deal
Rouhani vows to abide by the nuclear framework agreement it signed with six world powers, so long as they follow their side of commitments.
If the other side acts on its promises, Iran will abide by its promises. If, however, they one day decide to follow a different path, our nation too will be always free to make [another] choice
Favors Iran negotiations over war
Paul says he is skeptical about Iran deal, but would favor negotiating with them over war.
I’m going to keep an open mind and look at the agreement — I do believe that negotiation is better than war. I’ve been a big proponent of negotiation…I think we should do everything we can to stop them. I’ve voted for sanctions to try to stop them. I’m somewhat skeptical of the president’s agreement; however, I am in favor [of] negotiations over war, and I think I’ve been one of the reasonable people in our party who has not been beating the drums for war.
Defends amendments to Iran legislation
Rubio defends the two amendments that he wants to be added to proposed legislation on Iran nuclear deal.
I by no means endorse the plan outlined in the fact sheet, but the fact that they are saying it is a poison pill to require the president to sign a deal that reflects what he says the deal is, is in and of itself incredibly worrisome.
He also makes it clear that he doesn’t wants the bill to be defeated.
I doesn’t want the bill to go down…It’s not perfect, it’s better than nothing, and it creates a process by which the Senate can review what the president does.
Congress ‘must stop Iran deal’
Cruz urges Congress to stop Iran nuclear deal. He claims that a bad deal with Iran would jeopardize the life of million of Americans.
Our first priority should be stopping a bad Iran deal that jeopardizes the lives of millions of Americans and millions of our allies. There is nothing more important this body can consider, not trade, not the budget. There is nothing more important. The first responsibility of this body is to protect the national security of this country – to protect the lives and safety of men, women, and children across this country – and the President’s Iran deal deeply jeopardizes the safety of Americans.
‘Iranians Are Liars’
Graham criticizes Obama for negotiating with Iran and claims that Iranians are liars in an address to Southern Republican Leadership Conference.
I ran the pool room when I was a kid and I met a lot of liars, and I know the Iranians are liars…The Iranians cheat and they lie. They are a radical regime. They want a master religion for the world; the Nazis wanted a master race.
Criticizes Garrett Iran prisoner question
President Obama criticizes Garrett when he asks a question relating to four Americans being held in Iran. Garrett:
As you well know, there are four Americans in Iran, three held on trumped-up charges ,according to your administration, one whereabouts unknown? Can you tell the country, Sir, why you are content with all the fanfare around this deal to leave the conscience of this nation and the strength of this nation unaccounted for in relation to these four Americans?
Obama:
I gotta give you credit, Major, for how you craft those questions. The notion that I’m content as I celebrate with American citizens languishing in Iranian jails. Major, that’s nonsense and you should know better.
Defends Iran nuclear deal
President Obama defends the nuclear deal brokered with Iran, at a White House Press Corp meeting, arguing that the only way of assuring Iran not obtain a nuclear weapon is the agreement between the United States, Iran, and five other countries. The deal obtains assurances from Iran to stop and immediately downsize its nuclear program. In exchange, all previous sanctions are lifted.
This is the most vigorous inspection and verification deal that has ever been negotiated. The bottom line is this. This nuclear deal meets the national security interests of the United States and our allies. It prevents the most serious threat of Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon… that’s why this deal makes our country safer and secure.
Vigorous congressional debate on the deal is expected, with some efforts to block it. President Obama promises to veto any attempts to nullify the treaty.
I expect the debate to be robust, and that’s how it should be. This is an important issue. I hope we don’t lose sight of the larger picture — the opportunity that this agreement represents.
To visit U.S. over Iran deal
Israeli opposition leader, Herzog, will visit the U.S. to discuss the reasons for his country’s adversarial position to the Iran nuclear deal, and concerns regarding the safety of Israel. In a videotaped statement Herzog says he is going to the U.S.:
To ask that Israel gets a security umbrella and a series of steps to allow Israel to maintain its advantage in the region due to the new reality coming out of the deal
Netanyahu on Iran Agreement
Prime Minister Netanyahu continues to verbally oppose the Iran Nuclear Agreement. He states that as the leader of the only Jewish state, he feels it is his duty to make sure that state remains protected and safe against current and potential future danger.
I have great respect for our intelligence services, they’re the best in the world, Israel’s, the U.S. And UK. Yet, all of three of us didn’t see for a long time the nuclear bunkers, we didn’t see the Syrian work on a nuclear reactor that was almost operational when we discovered it.
EU approves Iran deal
The European Union approves the Iran nuclear deal. The deal lifts EU economic sanctions against Tehran, but keeps sanctions in place on human rights violations, and bans the supply of ballistic missile technology. Iran offers alternate energy supplies for Europe. The European Union may reopen an EU delegation in Tehran and is seeking business opportunities in the country. French foreign minister:
It is a balanced deal that means Iran won’t get an atomic bomb. It is a major political deal.
Austria’s Foreign Minister:
The Iran deal has a geopolitical impact and also an economic impact on the European Union.
Speaks at Stop Iran rally
Prior to the rally, Pataki accuses President Obama of violating his oath of office — under the law Obama should have taken the agreement to Congress to allow them to review it before taking it to the United Nations Security Council. Congress has 60 days to review the agreement.
That showed tremendous disrespect for the US Congress and it was an active betrayal of Israel, our strongest ally in the Middle East…In no way does this deal change Iran’s attitude to America. During the negotiations it was calling for ‘Death to America’. There are dozens of legitimate reasons to reject this deal. It allows for hundreds of billions in [sanctions] relief, the lifting of sanctions on conventional arms, all while Iran keeps supporting terror around the world.
At the rally:
This isn’t a bad deal, it’s a God-awful deal, it must be rejected. Congress must do its job and stand up for the American people, stand up for our safety and say ‘no’ to this Iranian deal.
Speaks at Stop Iran rally
At the Stop Iran Rally, Dershowitz makes an appeal to fellow liberals, calling on them to side with Republicans on the Iran Nuclear Agreement. He reiterates Pataki’s message stating that Obama should have given the draft of the agreement to Congress for review before going to the U.N.
It is a bad deal for Democrats. It is a bad deal for liberals. I am here opposing this deal as a liberal Democrat. [This deal is] bad for America, bad for world peace and bad for the security of the Middle East.
Iran says Kerry using empty threats
Iran accuses Kerry of threatening military action against Tehran if it does not hold true to a nuclear deal agreed to on 14 July. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif:
Unfortunately the US Secretary of State once again talked about the rotten rope of ‘the ability of the US for using military force.’ [I decry] the uselessness of such empty threats against the nation of Iran and the resistance of the nation of Iran. Such remarks should be consigned to the last century. Kerry and other US officials “have repeatedly admitted that these threats have no effect on the will of the people of Iran and that it will change the situation to their disadvantage. Therefore, it would be better for Americans to abandon their old habit and put aside once and for all their threatening language and sanctions against this great people.
Foreign insurers consider Iran
Foreign insurers are considering Iranian markets as an acceptable risk now that the Iran Nuclear Agreement has been agreed to by world powers. These specialty insurers remain a little hesitant however, as there is no way to predict when the $8 billion dollars in frozen funds will be released. U.S. Congress still needing to vote on the issue so insurance companies are mostly watching and waiting on the sidelines although each is eager to be the first to cover their market when the funds do become available. Insurer:
Historically we have dealt with Iran; it’s interesting to see what’s happening there. From a marine perspective, there are some large ship owners in Iran. There are lots of cargo, port terminals.
Claims Obama ‘marching Israel to ovens’
Huckabee says the Iran Nuclear Agreement will result in similar outcomes to the Holocaust for Israel.
It is so naive that he would trust the Iranians. By doing so, he will take the Israelis and march them to the door of the oven. This is the most idiotic thing, this Iran deal. It should be rejected by both Democrats and Republicans in Congress and by the American people. I read the whole deal. We gave away the whole store. It’s got to be stopped.
Israel says ‘threats’ won’t stop opposition
Israeli officials call comments from Senator Kerry that Israel will be even more isolated internationally should Congress fail to pass the Iran nuclear agreement a “thinly veiled efforts to muzzle criticism”. Israeli officials state they will not stop publicly lobbying against the nuclear agreement with Iran.
We reject the threats directed at Israel in recent days.
Cruz on Tisha b’Av
Cruz sends a message to his Jewish supporters on the day of Tisha B’Av in which he compares the Iran nuclear deal to the same danger that led to the destruction of the two ancient Jewish temples:
To all those observing the mourning of Tisha B’Av, I wish you a time of meaningful reflection on the destruction of the holy Temples and the calamities that befell our Jewish brothers on this day. As our Jewish friends hope for the rebuilding of the Temple speedily in our days, I share their joy in the establishment of a Jewish State after 2,000 years of exile. Especially today, with stakes so high, we can never allow there to be a threat to Israel’s destruction. We must furiously fight the Iran deal that puts Israel in jeopardy so that we may never again mourn the destruction of the Jewish State.