Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), the influential chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, slammed President Biden’s plans for reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, in a speech on the Senate floor on Tuesday.
Menendez said the administration was “clinging” to the deal for “nostalgia’s sake” in a rebuke to the US’s indirect negotiations with Iran. “At this point, we seriously have to ask what exactly are we trying to salvage?” he said.
“As someone who has followed Iran’s nuclear ambition for the better part of three decades, I am here today to raise concerns about the current round of negotiations over the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action,” Menendez added.
The hawkish Democrat called on the Biden administration to increase the pressure on Iran and “vigorously” enforce sanctions. Menendez said the US should try a new strategy that involves “creative diplomatic initiatives, stricter sanctions enforcement, and a steely determination from Congress.”
Since the Trump administration reimposed crushing sanctions on Iran in 2018, the Islamic Republic’s economy has found a vital lifeline in oil sales to China and other countries that are not afraid of US sanctions. Menendez wants that trade to stop. “We must use our sanctions to crush the illicit, underground economy of Iranian oil shipments throughout the world,” he said.
Menendez’s comments reflect the fact that if Biden chooses to give Iran the necessary sanctions relief to revive the JCPOA, he will come under a lot of political pressure. Virtually every Republican and a handful of Democrats are opposed to the idea, making it possible that a majority in Congress would be against a JCPOA revival.
Melendez is one of the most crooked guys in Washington. That is saying a lot.
“As someone who has followed Iran’s nuclear ambition for the better part of three decades”
And still doesn’t have a clue – and doesn’t care to.
If this is actually a good sign? If this means Biden is for real on this? than it would indeed be the time for the Zionists pols to assume the position and earn their shekels.
You’re right, Bob. The deal is indeed completely unnecessary; we’ve known since ’05 at least that Iran is not building nukes.
So we don’t need a deal and we don’t need sanctions either. Peace and free trade with all … Good?
Free Trade = Shafted Workers
We’ll never know.
“Virtually every Republican and a handful of Democrats are opposed to the idea, making it possible that a majority in Congress would be against a JCPOA revival.”
Stop saying this. The “handful” of democrats is bullshit. The majority of them feel the same as this little turd. It isn’t just “possible” that the majority of congress opposes the JCPOA, it’s a slam fucking dunk.
For proof all you need to do is go back and watch when Net the Yahoo addressed a Joint Session of Congress a few years ago, and they all jumped up and applauded, every few minutes. Reminded me of the old Heil Hitler adorers the way they leaped to their feet in unison, led by old spry Joe Lieberman. The Lobby/Israel owns the Congress with very few exceptions and they will vote for Israel’s interests over American interests.
Invited by the Senate Majority Leader, without President Obama’s consent.
Menendez is one of the biggest “takers” of taxpayer money from the Israel Lobby. He’s an Israel Firster and a life-long warmonger
Bob Menendez should switch to being RetardiQans…!
No difference.
At least, he wouldn’t be able to pretend to be a Demorats…!
Why not? Like I said, there is no difference.
One must condemn the voters of New Jersey for reelecting this corrupt senator and war supporter.
Watch prof. Marandi’s recent interview with Aaron Mate to see the effects of the cruel illegal sanctions on the women and children in Iran for the credibility, I suppose, of the USA which broke the JCPOA and is the one who wanted it.
Only Bob Menendez slammed Biden…?! What happened to Senator Cotton, Rubio and others…?! I guess they have Not got their deposits from Israel…!
I still don’t understand why Bob Menendez isn’t in jail for child molestation? Some years it was alleged that he may have had sex with underage prostitutes between 2009 to 2012 in the Dominican Republic. Google it!
Its an elite privilege.
Keeps’em on a leash and the hammer dropped only when needed.
Its an elite privilege.
Keeps’em on a leash and the hammer dropped only when needed.
The question answers itself.
He’s not in jail because he was never charged, tried, and convicted of what was “alleged that he may have done.”
Which doesn’t mean that he didn’t do it, but does mean there are (at least as of yet) no grounds for him being jailed over it.
Yes. Of course the question was rhetorical.
He gets to be on the front lines of the war. Apologies from New Jersey.
No need to study this one. There will be no return to the Agreement, or any agreement. All US is doing is preventing Europe from participating in doung business with Iran. Or Russia. Or China, Missile defence put in Europe wee presumaby to defend from Iran! That was before ratcheting up anti-Russia and anti-China economy warfare.
The problem is — US does not know how to be a smart looser. At present, Iran has a deal with Russia and China for the next quarter century. Signed. Iran is becoming a hub of fransit links between continental Asia and West Asia (we call it Middle East or Gulf states.
These links are not ocean dependent. Saudi Arabia has joined China-Russia led SCO last August. It is strategically alligned with Eurasian goals, no matter the tactics.
A smart loser will not execute Israeli lobby policies, but mind the long term interests of America. With so many advantages that we can bring to the table in any future trading — we are throwing it away.
Best example I know of is Turkey. NATO member that bucked the closed loop NATO thinking for the sake of freedom of trade. And was and still is ounished for that. Instead we could learn again the truest principles of trade. Trade with everyone — as every single deal is only a reflection of mutual interest between parties at the time — ,not a hill to die on.
We are no linger flexible, open to all people, cleareyed when it comes to our interest. But resoecting others if they cannot accept every business offer.
We have become crudely ideologicam, with almost a profincial wold outlook.
Turkey currency was under attack — easy enough when so mych commerce was denominated in US dollars or Euros, So, why has not inflation destroyed economy, while Erdogan kept interest rates low? Because Turkish exports soared, and middle class investments in their homes and businesses assets are kerpung up value with inflation. As domestically people are not affected by exchange rate if incomes increased, the impact of the massive tightening of US and Euro dollar supply has affected lira wxchange rate. But it did not prevent Turkey to import Chunese semi-products, oroduce finished products and sell to Europe. They are doing booming business with Russia. The economic rules as we know then do not apply.
There was a lots of ridiculing and cackling at Erdogan and his ridiculous reduction of innferest rate in the face of inflation. Now, with a mixture of surprise and, anoyance and bewiderment — a reality sunk in.
With rigid, ideological dogmas that pass for analysis — we are getting nowhere. Perhaps getting in some fresh air might clear up the fog in the groupthink we waddle in.
Just another Politician in the pocket of AIPAC.