Ohio lawmakers react to Iran nuke deal

Jessica Wehrman in our Washington Bureau reports that news of the nuclear deal with Iran was met with some skepticism by Republicans in Ohio’s House delegation.

House Speaker John Boehner, R-West Chester twp., said the parameters for a final deal “represent an alarming departure from the White House’s initial goals.”

“My longtime concerns about the parameters of this potential agreement remain, but my immediate concern is the administration signaling it will provide near-term sanctions relief,” he said. “Congress must be allowed to fully review the details of any agreement before any sanctions are lifted.”

Boehner was in the Middle East – including Iraq and Israel this week – and he said the trip left him with increased concerns about Iran’s “efforts to foment unrest, brutal violence and terror.”

“It would be naïve to suggest the Iranian regime will not continue to use its nuclear program, and any economic relief, to further destabilize the region,” he said, adding that Congress will continue to press the administration on details of the parameters and unanswered questions about the deal.

Rep. Steve Stivers, R-Upper Arlington, said the U.S. needs to live by the Reagan mantra: “Trust but verify.”

“The United States needs to do everything we can to prevent a nuclear Iran,” he said. “I would not limit the U.S. government's options in meeting that goal."

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said he looked forward to being briefed on the terms of the deal.

“Americans want to find a peaceful means of ensuring Iran cannot develop a nuclear weapon,” he said. “It appears the framework agreement with Iran reached by the U.S. and other UN Security Council nations will serve as the basis for the kind of comprehensive and verifiable agreement for which we had been hoping.”

He said he was optimistic about initial reports. “Congress must now give the Administration the time to fill in the details necessary to make the agreement effective, strong and durable,” he said.

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