Senator Lankford Demands Answers From Obama Administration on Latest Iran Nuclear Side Deal

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement on the news that the Obama administration is purchasing from Iran 32 tons of heavy water, material used to produce atomic-weapons, to help them reach their Nuclear Deal responsibility:

“Today’s announcement that the US will buy Iran’s heavy water, a key component of nuclear-weapon development, continues to reinforce my suspicions about the President’s Nuclear Deal. Each day brings a new American concession and a new benefit for Iran. The administration needs to explain how this new side deal of more than $8 million does not directly finance terrorism and supply Iran with American dollars. 

“While the United States normally purchases heavy water for our industrial and scientific research, we typically purchase this material from our allies. Today, the administration not only subsidized Iran’s developing nuclear program, but it also encouraged American companies and other countries to do the same. We have now moved from opposing Iran’s nuclear program, to promoting the program.

“While the President was in Saudi Arabia, Iran launched yet another rocket to advance their long-range missile program. Will our $8 million finance terror, nuclear technology or rockets? I introduced my Iran Nuclear Accountability resolution to hold Iran to the highest standards of compliance and ensure we remain focused on the goal of peace. Today’s news shows that we need to be precise and vigilant with Iran.”

On April 6, Lankford introduced a Senate resolution to ensure President Obama follows through on his commitment to reimpose sanctions if Iran violates the Nuclear Deal.

The intent of the Nuclear Deal, technically called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was to constrain Iran’s nuclear activity in exchange for a relaxation of nuclear-related sanctions. Unfortunately, several non-nuclear related concessions were thrown in at the last minute. Much of the deal’s language is ambiguous and open to misinterpretation. Lankford’s resolution is an important step to clarify expectations and set in stone the Senate’s view of US actions, if the terms of the deal are breached.

Senator Lankford is the only Senator on both the Intelligence Committee and the Homeland Security Committee. 

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