Ed Royce (R., Calif.), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, denounced the Iranian deal after it was announced Tuesday, saying it will not help to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
"In testimony before this Committee, Secretary [John] Kerry told us these negotiations would be used to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program," Royce said on Tuesday. "That was the goal. Instead, this agreement allows Iran to retain a vast enrichment capacity, continue its research and development, and gain an industrialized nuclear program once key provisions of this agreement begin to expire in as little as ten years."
Royce also criticized the framework for inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities established by the deal.
"On the critical issues of inspections, just a few months ago, Secretary of Energy [Ernest] Moniz said that ‘we expect to have anywhere, anytime access,’" he said, referring to comments made by Ernest Moniz. "The inspection regime will be manipulated by those with something to hide."
Royce also said the lack of response time the deal allows for, in the event that Iran were to bolt for nuclear capability, is alarming and puts America in a position to be surprised by the rogue state.
"The U.S. and its allies will be left with no effective measures to prevent Iran from initiating an accelerated nuclear program to produce the materials needed for a nuclear weapon. And Iran surely would be able to speed toward a nuclear weapon faster than an international sanctions regime could be reestablished," Royce said.