Iran deal makes world safer

The world will be a lot safer if Congress approves the deal that was recently struck with Iran on its nuclear program.

The deal reduces the amount of nuclear material that Iran can have to a level insufficient to build even one nuclear weapon. It also sets up a rigorous inspection system to verify that Iran is complying with the terms of the agreement. In addition, under the agreement, the United States and the European Union can reinstate sanctions if Iran blocks access to inspectors.

If Congress rejects this deal, the new restrictions on the amount of nuclear material Iran is allowed and the inspection regime to verify Iran’s compliance with the deal would not go into effect. Indeed, Iran would have little incentive to scale back its nuclear program or admit inspectors to its nuclear sites. This would increase the risk of war in the region.

Another benefit of the successful diplomacy that approval of this deal would represent is the precedent it would set for successfully negotiating deals with Iran on other issues of importance to us, such as its support for terrorism and its violations of human rights.

I would like to thank my senator, Tammy Baldwin, for publicly and strongly endorsing the agreement with Iran and ask that my other senator, Ron Johnson, also support the agreement.

John Payton Wauwatosa