Iran Nuclear Deal's Success: Trump Wrong to Withdraw

In 2015, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, was hotly debated across the United States. I had the opportunity to attend a town hall panel in Brooklyn, where then-Rep. Hakeem Jeffries expressed his support for the Obama administration's effort to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. By participating in this diplomatic effort, Jeffries ensured that Iran would be at least 12 months from nuclear breakout, and that international inspections would provide verification of Iran's commitment.

However, just three years later, former President Donald Trump decided to break the deal, leaving Iran only 12 days from nuclear breakout and the inspections regime in shambles. Trump's decision to pursue "maximum pressure" on Iran led to an increased use of force and repression in the Middle Eastern country. Today, President Biden has been working diligently to restore diplomacy with Iran, but the damage done by Trump's actions has made it difficult to rebuild trust.

As the 2024 election campaign has begun, Republicans are hesitant to give Biden any policy wins, which has turned diplomacy with Iran into a partisan issue. This is where Congress, and particularly House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, can play an important role in protecting Biden's diplomacy from dangerous Republican attacks. Despite efforts from Republicans to involve Netanyahu in Congress and turn Israel into a political wedge issue, Jeffries can continue to demonstrate his commitment to Israeli and American security by promoting diplomatic efforts to prevent a nuclear-capable Iran.

Not only is this good policy, it is also good politics. Iran diplomacy has wide support among Democrats and the larger American electorate, including a majority of American Jewish voters. By blocking political efforts that could hinder negotiations or incite Iran to take dangerous actions regarding their nuclear program, Jeffries and other Democratic leaders can help keep the political space open for Biden's diplomacy.

As tensions between the U.S. and Iran continue to rise, it is essential for congressional Democrats to provide the support needed for Biden's diplomatic efforts. It is time for prominent leaders like Jeffries to once again take charge and demonstrate the importance of diplomacy in preventing a nuclear-capable Iran.