Iran pact offers Congress the chance to prove that it can deliberate wisely

How do you prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon? That question goes to the heart of the global debate over Tehran’s nuclear program, which has kept the Middle East on edge for many years.

There are those in the United States and abroad who believe that the answer lies in bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities to smithereens. That’s easier said than done. Some of the sites are so deep underground that bunker-buster bombs would be required.

Additionally, any military force against the theocracy would trigger a response not only aimed at the country or countries that launched the attack, but at all of Iran’s enemies. And the ayatollahs who rule Iran would call for a religious war worldwide.

Others who are of the opinion that any agreement to limit Iran’s nuclear program is doomed to fail want the economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations to be strengthen and widened.

It is worth noting that U.N. sanctions were first imposed more than 15 years ago, and while they have created widespread economic hardship in the country, there has been no popular uprising against the government, as there have been in several Arab countries.

Iron-fist rule

The reason is rather simple: While there is an elected president and parliament, the real power rests in the hands of a group of clerics who rule with an iron fist.

Cuba, which also is under dictatorial rule, survived 50 years of U.S.-imposed economic sanctions. As President Barack Obama pointed out when he announced the restoration of diplomatic relations – Congress would have to vote on lifting the sanctions – there is nothing to suggest that a continuation of the long-standing policy would bring a different result after another half-century.

Thus the question, “How do you prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon?”

President Obama, along with the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China, believe the answer lies in the historic accord reached Tuesday that is aimed at eliminating Tehran’s capability of building a nuclear weapon. In return, Iran will have access to billions in frozen assets and oil revenue. The agreement would also bring about a reassessment of America’s military strategy in the Middle East.

But critics and skeptics abound, especially in Congress and in Israel, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reserved the right to take military action to destroy Iran’s nuclear program.

Congress will have 60 days to review the agreement and either approve it or reject it in its entirety. The president has said he will veto any rejection of the pact.

While it may be too much to expect the Republican majority in Congress to deliberate this important agreement objectively and in a nonpartisan fashion, this is a defining moment for the legislative branch of government.

We would hope that the talking-heads syndrome does not afflict members of the House and Senate. What is demanded is intelligent, knowledgeable discourse about the details of the agreement and whether it contains sufficient safeguards to ensure Iran’s compliance.

What is not needed is grandstanding by members of Congress, especially those who have their eyes on the presidency, and misinformation designed to influence the American people.

GOP accusations

A day after the agreement was announced, Republicans accused President Obama of making too many concessions – even though most of them had not read the 100-page pact. It is this kind of knee-jerk reaction that does a disservice not only to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and all the other negotiators who spent countless hours hammering out the details, but to the country.

The American people depend on their political leaders to give them an honest accounting of what is taking place in the nation’s capital.

There’s a time and place for partisan politics, but the review of the Iran nuclear agreement isn’t it.

And there’s this reality: Rejection by the U.S. of the agreement does not mean that United Nations’ sanctions will remain in place. There are other countries that are invested in what took place over the past several months in Vienna.