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The Final Tally: How Congress Voted on Iran
By September 17, the deadline for Congressional action on the nuclear deal between Iran and the world's six major powers, Senate Democrats had blocked a Republican-led effort to reject the agreement. After debating a resolution of disapproval on the deal, the Senate moved to a procedural vote on…
Iranian Officials on US After the Deal
Despite the nuclear deal, top Iranian officials insisted that Tehran and Washington are not moving towards rapprochement – or cooperating on any other issues. “We allowed negotiations with the U.S. only on the nuclear issue for certain reasons, in other areas we did not and will not allow…
Poll: Iran's Minorities on the Deal
Around 76 percent of Iranians approved of the nuclear deal between Iran and the world's six major powers, according to a new poll released by iPOS (Information and Public Opinion Solutions). This figure was up from 63 percent in May.The poll asked respondents the following question:"As you may know…
US Public Opinion on Iran Deal
Polls have differed in their findings regarding public opinion on the Iran nuclear deal. Many surveys conducted soon after the July 14 announcement of an agreement found that a majority of Americans supported the deal. But since then they have varied widely. This is a compilation of major polls.…
Contrast in US-Iran Public Opinion on Deal
The nuclear deal between Iran and the world’s six major powers appears to be significantly more popular among Iranians than Americans when comparing two recent surveys. A new poll of Iranian public opinion found that 76 percent of respondents approved of the agreement. Some 21 percent disapproved…
Obama Administration on Congressional Vote
On September 10, President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry welcomed the move by Senate Democrats to block a Republican-led effort to reject the Iran nuclear deal. Four Democrats sided with Republicans. But a procedural vote on the resolution ultimately fell two short of the 60…
Iran Public Opinion on Deal, Rouhani & US
An overwhelming majority of Iranians said that they approve of the nuclear deal between Iran and the world’s six major powers. Some 76 percent of respondents approved of it while 21 percent disapproved, according to a new poll conducted by the Center for International and Security Studies at…
15 GOP Governors Oppose Nuclear Deal
On September 8, 15 Republican governors sent a letter to President Obama voicing their opposition to the nuclear deal between Iran and the world’s six major powers. They also declared their intention to “ensure that the various state-level sanctions that are now in effect remain in effect.” House…
US Elder Statesmen on Iran Deal
Since the nuclear deal was announced on July 14, top foreign policy-makers in seven administrations have commented publicly on the terms. The following are excerpts. Brent Scowcroft, National Security Advisor to Presidents Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush "In my view, the JCPOA [Joint…
Where US Senators Stand on Iran Deal
In July and August, U.S. Senators began indicating how they plan to vote on the final nuclear deal. Lawmakers have until September 17 to review the agreement, and if the majority disapprove, they can pass a resolution to block the deal from being implemented. President Obama, however, has said he…
Iran’s Nuclear Chess: After the Deal
The following is the executive summary from a newly updated monograph by Robert Litwak, vice president for scholars at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and a former director for nonproliferation on the National Security Council staff in the first Clinton administration.…
Europe Reaches Out to Iran
After the final nuclear deal was announced on July 14, European officials began reaching out to Iran with several high-profile phone calls and visits. The following is a rundown of European outreach since the deal. Austria Austrian President Heinz Fischer visited Tehran from September 7 to 9…
Where the House Stands on Iran Deal
In July and August, members of the House of Representatives began indicating how they plan to vote on the final nuclear deal. Lawmakers have until September 17 to review the agreement, and if the majority disapprove, they can pass a resolution to block the deal from being implemented. President…
Khamenei: Parliament Must Review Deal
On September 3, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that lawmakers must weigh in on the nuclear deal. Khamenei announced his decision one day after President Barack Obama gained enough votes in the Senate to prevent opponents of the agreement from scuttling it. “I have no advice to…
Iran: A Done Deal
Robin Wright (for The New Yorker) President Obama today won the riskiest gamble of his presidency. He now has enough support in the Senate to ensure that the Hill cannot kill the White House deal with Iran. Some will still try. Cheney has joined the noisy opposition and will give a big speech next…
The Final Pitch: New Appeal to Congress
On September 2, Secretary of State John Kerry sent a letter to U.S. Senators and Members of Congress emphasizing the Obama administration's commitment to support its Gulf partners and Israel. "We will continue to provide Israel and our GCC partners the robust assistance and support they need to…
The Final Pitch: Kerry on the Deal
On September 2, Secretary of State John Kerry made a final pitch to rally support for the nuclear deal, two weeks before the deadline for a Congressional vote on the agreement. The deal "reflects our determination to protect the interests of our citizens and to shield the world from greater harm,"…
Iran Speaker, in NY, on Nuclear Deal
On September 1, Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Ali Larijani said that the nuclear agreement between Iran and the world’s six major powers is a “good deal,” even though it may have shortcomings. “And it is a beginning for a better understanding for other issues as well. I mean, the regional and…
Poll: Rouhani Approval Rating Improves
Some 54 percent of Iranians approved of President Hassan Rouhani’s performance in late August, according to a newly released poll by iPOS (Information and Public Opinion Solutions). His rating was up six percent compared to May, before the nuclear deal between Iran and the world’s six major powers…
How Iran Feels About the U.S. Debate
Interview with Nasser Hadian How has the debate over the nuclear deal played out in Iran? There are four major reactions to the deal among Iran’s political elites. First, there are those who support the deal unconditionally, because they are tired of the economic and political situation in…
Moniz on Science of Iran Deal
The final nuclear deal will permanently improve the international community’s capability to verify Iran’s activities, according to U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz. “The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — is built upon a foundation of deep nuclear science and technology in both…
Kerry on Amir Hekmati’s Detention in Iran
On August 28, Secretary of State John Kerry released a statement marking the four-year anniversary of U.S. citizen Amir Hekmati’s detention in Iran. Iranian authorities arrested Hekmati—a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen born in Arizona and a former Marine— in August 2011 for allegedly working for the CIA…
The Final Deal: U.S. Officials React
The following are excerpted statements by U.S. officials on the final nuclear deal that was announced by the world’s six major powers and Iran on July 14.Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power"If the United States rejects this deal, we would instantly isolate ourselves from the countries…
Heated Debate in Iran on Nuclear Deal
Garrett Nada The debate over the nuclear deal is heating up in Iran. President Hassan Rouhani’s administration has been trying to sell the agreement since it was announced on July 14. But hardliners' criticism of the deal is mounting. Part of the debate is over whether or not the agreement and…
Khamenei Website Reaches Out to Youth
Sina Azodi Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s newest website is an attempt to sustain the revolution and its values among Iran’s youth. Nojavan, or “Youth,” was launched in April. More than 60 percent of Iran’s population is under 35. They were born after the 1979 revolution and did not…
Iranian Lawmakers on Nuclear Deal
On August 19, Iran’s parliament selected 15 members for a panel that will review the nuclear deal between Iran and the world’s six major powers. Two dozen law makers volunteered to serve on the panel; 15 were then elected by the full parliament. The group includes 13 conservatives. In an…
Iranian Officials: Deal Won’t Lead to US Influence
As the United States deliberated the nuclear deal, senior officials in the Islamic Republic insisted that the agreement would not increase Washington’s influence in Iran. On August 20, Revolutionary Guards commander Ali Jafari asserted that “we will not allow the hegemonic powers to exercise…
Khamenei Comments: Deal Won’t Open Iran to U.S. Influence
On August 17, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Iran will continue to oppose U.S. policies in the region and resist U.S. influence. “They [Americans] thought this [nuclear] deal - and it is not clear if it will be passed in Iran or in America - will open up Iran to their influence,”…
Iranian Lawmakers Petition to Review Deal
On August 16, a member of Iran’s parliamentary Presiding Board read a petition signed by 201 out of 290 lawmakers calling on the government to present a bill on the nuclear deal. The lawmakers argued that the agreement between Iran and the world’s six major powers needs the approval of parliament…
Obama on War and Peace
Robin Wright (for The New Yorker)President Obama was in a reflective mood when he met with a group of journalists at the White House on Wednesday afternoon, a few hours after he delivered a combative speech defending the Iran deal. He is, in private meetings, a congenial stoic, even as he chews…