By Robert M. Morgenthau, 24 June 2015
As the deadline for a nuclear agreement with Iran approaches, it is vital to recognize what the agreement doesn’t address: the Islamic Republic’s continuing support of terrorism.
By no means do I minimize the importance of nuclear weapons. An agreement to curtail the Islamic Republic’s nuclear ambitions would serve U.S. interests, if we have assured verification and the ability to punish noncompliance. Still, any deal that fails to hold Iran accountable for its criminal and terrorist conduct, past and present, will fail to curtail such conduct in the future.
The sanctions on Iran have been in place for decades. They were designed not only to curtail Iran’s efforts to develop nuclear weapons, but also to curtail its support of terrorist organizations, human-rights abuses and the development of ballistic missiles. There is no doubt that the regime is a state sponsor of terrorism: Its actions have been documented in executive orders and policies spanning four successive U.S. presidential administrations. Iran also has been held responsible and liable for terrorist acts by U.S. courts.