American power: Security through diplomacy

Despite significant roadblocks, President Obama has peacefully secured a critical national security objective through negotiations.  

The framework agreement with Iran is American leadership at its best: U.S. interests secured through tough diplomacy instead of nonstrategic calls for another ill-advised war.

{mosads}Instead of creating further roadblocks for this deal, Congress should support Obama on this critical national security achievement.

While the final deal is not yet complete, what has been achieved far exceeds expectations. This framework ensures U.S. national security, enhances regional security and proves that diplomacy works. 

Yet some would prefer that Congress place constraints on diplomacy or undermine this deal entirely. This is especially troubling because these are many of the same voices that supported the ill-advised war in Iraq.

Congress and political commentators should not be in the business of making it more difficult to make peace and enhance national security. In fact, a recent poll showed that 65 percent of American voters want Congress to allow the deal to move forward.

If Congress is serious about preventing an Iranian nuclear weapon, members should work to ensure the success of these negotiations. With the framework that has been secured, we have a chance to turn the page on decades of tense relations between the U.S. and Iran. Most importantly, it takes us off the path to war with Iran.

For more than three decades, the U.S. has had no formal diplomatic relations with Iran; this “no-contact” policy has limited opportunities for productive dialogue to address shared interests like degrading the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, addressing Afghanistan’s opium trade and promoting regional security. I have introduced legislation to put an end to this counterproductive policy. 

The stigma of negotiating with Iran has been broken by high-level interactions. In the past two Congresses, I introduced the Prevent Iran from Acquiring Nuclear Weapons and Stop War Through Diplomacy Act to end the counterproductive no-contact policy. It’s past time to untie the hands of our diplomats.

While change in Iran will not happen overnight, this deal opens the political space for moderate leaders. Diplomatic channels to pressure Iran to improve its human rights record have also been opened.

Today, we have a framework agreement that, if fully implemented, would prevent an Iranian nuclear weapon while ensuring regional and global peace and stability.

This deal was achieved in spite of attempts, inside and outside Congress, to sabotage it. Such attempts to undermine our national security objectives must stop.

The path to a final deal is clear, and a final agreement is on the horizon.

It’s time for Congress to support President Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry and all of our diplomats for their tireless work and support Obama as a deal is finalized.

Lee represents California’s 13th Congressional District and has served in the House since 1998. She sits on the Appropriations and the Budget committees.