Second Delaware senator supports proposed Iran nuclear deal

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 (Nichelle Polston/WHYY)

(Nichelle Polston/WHYY)

Delaware Sen. Chris Coons is supporting a proposed deal that targets one of the greatest threats to America, nuclear weapons in Iran.

In July, the United States, Iran and other International partners also known as the P5 plus 1 came up with an agreement designed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. On Tuesday, Coons announced his position at the University of Delaware. He said the deal is the United States best option right now.

“I will support this agreement and vote against any measures to disapprove it in Congress,” said  Coons.

Coons also shared that the agreement doesn’t mean that the United States’ fully trust Iran.

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“Let’s be clear, no one can mistake Iran for a friend of the United States,” Coons said.

Despite some of the weaknesses Coons discovered in the deal, he explained what will happen if Iran decides to ignore the terms of the deal.

“Should the Iranians violate the agreement and move forward with nuclear weapons development we are far more likely to detect it and be in a position to take decisive action with this agreement than without it,” Coons said.

With Coons and Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey supporting the deal, the Obama administration is one vote shy in the Senate of ensuring it passes.

The Coons announcement puts both Delaware senators in the camp to support the Iranian nuclear treaty.  Sen. Tom Carper came out in favor the arrangement last week.

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