World Nuclear Experts Defend Iran, G5+1 Agreement

More than 70 of the world’s prominent nuclear nonproliferation experts have endorsed the nuclear agreement reached between Iran and six world powers on July 14 in Vienna, Austria, a report said.

The leading specialists issued a joint statement on August 17 and described the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the document finalized by the two sides, as strong and verifiable, Arms Control Association reported on Tuesday.
“The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is a strong, long-term, and verifiable agreement that will be a net-plus for international nuclear nonproliferation efforts,” the statement read.
In the statement, which is endorsed by former US nuclear negotiators, former senior US nonproliferation officials, a former director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a former member of the UN Panel of Experts on Iran, and leading nuclear specialists from the United States and around the globe, the experts said they “… urge the leaders of the P5+1 states, the European Union, and Iran to take the steps necessary to ensure timely implementation and rigorous compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.”
It further read, “Though all of us could find ways to improve the text, we believe the JCPOA meets key nonproliferation and security objectives and see no realistic prospect for a better nuclear agreement.”
The statement followed the release of a letter to Obama by 29 of the US leading scientists, who called the agreement “technically sound, stringent and innovative”.
Also, some 36 retired US generals and admirals released an open letter on August 12 in support of the accord, urging the US Congress to back the agreement.
Iran and the Group 5+1 (which is also known as E3+3 or P5+1 and comprises Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) finalized the text of a lasting deal on Tehran’s nuclear program on July 14.
While the United Nations Security Council has adopted a resolution to endorse the deal, the text of the document needs to be ratified by both Iran’s Parliament and the US Congress.
US President Barack Obama has promised a swift veto in the event of a Congressional rejection of the agreement in September. Lawmakers would then have to find enough votes to override the president.