Support Diplomacy and Peace with Iran

Support Diplomacy and Peace with Iran

Our sacred scriptures all point to our calling as disciples and peacemakers, to do what we can to bring healing into the world, not hurt, to end bloodshed, not to initiate it, to stop the killing and terrorizing of children and adults, and to make all of God’s Creation a safe place in which to live.” – General Synod 27, Resolution for Solidarity and Friendship with Iran

America is facing a critical moment in its efforts to prevent nuclear weapon-armed Iran.  Negotiations have never been closer to achieving a diplomatic resolution to constraining Iran’s nuclear program, yet political efforts to derail these talks have also never been greater. 

Now is the time more than ever to bolster political will in Congress to support diplomacy and peace with Iran. 

On January 29th, the Senate Banking Committee advanced a bill that would impose additional sanctions on Iran should current talks between the U.S. and its allies and Iran fail to reach agreement on a framework by March.  In the next couple weeks, the new chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Bob Corker, has indicated he will introduce legislation giving Congress the opportunity to vote to disapprove or approve whatever nuclear agreement is reached.  Since it’s widely expected that many in Congress would reject any nuclear deal reached with Iran, passage of this legislation essentially signals blockage of any deal negotiated by the Obama administration from ever coming into effect.

Both of these efforts impose unnecessary Congressional pressure or outright blockage of a critical multi-nation process of diplomatic negotiations.  Congress has an important role to play at this time in signaling support for diplomacy, not taking steps that threaten to delay or at worst preemptively derail talks with Iran altogether. 

Current negotiations provide the best opportunity in a decade to avoid a nuclear-armed Iran.  Write to your Senator to let them know you support diplomacy with Iran and ask them to oppose the Corker-Graham bill or any other effort to derail negotiations