Debate continued this week in Washington, D.C. over President Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran.
Senator Chris Murphy has said he’s studying the agreement, but hadn’t seen anything that would cause him to oppose it.
At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Senator Richard Blumenthal said he remains undecided.
Blumenthal questioned General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, about ways the agreement might affect the United States’ military position toward Iran after the deal expires.
"Will the United States be in a stronger or weaker position, militarily, if the military option is necessary for some future president?" Blumenthal asked.
Dempsey replied that, in fact, Iran could procure some weapon systems, making a future military option more difficult. "But it will not make it more impossible," he said. "And I think the answer to your question senator is, it depends on how we use the time between now and then."
When Blumenthal raised the idea of putting back in place economic sanctions, Secretary of State John Kerry said at this point, sanctions would not pressure the Iranians to return to the negotiating table, and would lead to a loss of international support.
"Because the international community is ready to enforce the deal. If we’re not unilaterally, they walk away," Kerry said.
Opponents of the deal argue that it doesn't deliver "anywhere, anytime" inspections, and could threaten Israel's future.
Blumenthal and members of Congress are in the midst of a 60-day review period of the agreement.
