Arizona politicians react to withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal

PHOENIX — Arizona politicians have begun to respond to President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the nuclear accord with Iran.

Shortly after the announcement, Republican U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar expressed support of the decision.

“From the very beginning, I have expressed my strong disapproval of the Iran Deal,” he said in  a statement. “America went from preventing to encouraging Iran’s nuclear capabilities while scuttling every goal established.”

The Iran agreement, struck in 2015 between the United States, Iran and other world powers, lifted most U.S. and international sanctions against the country. In return, Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program making it impossible to produce a bomb, along with rigorous inspections.

U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) said the deal was flawed but the U.S. should not have withdrawn.

The JCPOA had many flaws but withdrawing now does not serve our national interest. Iran has already realized the benefits of sanctions relief and the release of frozen assets. Now they are let off the hook when it comes to honoring their nuclear obligations under the agreement.

— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) May 8, 2018

The International Atomic Energy Agency said that before 2003, an “organizational structure was in place in Iran” to develop a nuclear device. After 2003, tough there was activity, it was “not part of a coordinated effort.”

Democrat U.S. Rep. Raul M. Grijalva accused Trump of ignoring top international diplomats and removing the U.S. from the global peace process.

“Instead of seizing on an opportunity for the United States to be a global leader in peace and security, Trump once again elected to further discredit diplomatic efforts with his refusal to abide by the terms of the Iran Nuclear Deal,” Grijalva said.

“With the stroke of a pen, Trump ignored top diplomats, heads of state of our closest allies, leading experts, and findings from the International Atomic Energy Agency that agree that Iran is successfully complying with the agreement.”

The IAEA, which inspects Iran’s nuclear sites, said Iran had “shipped out or eliminated 95 percent of its stockpile of enriched uranium, and dismantled or idled two-thirds of its centrifuge machines used in making nuclear fuel,” according to the Washington Post.

Former state Sen. Kelli Ward, on the ballot for Flake’s seat in the 2018 election, supported Trump’s decision to remove the U.S. from the deal, calling it “fatally flawed from its conception.”

“It provided a huge cash reward to one of the world’s most vicious state sponsors of terrorism,” she said in a statement. “It failed to mandate unimpeded, real-time inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities, and it allowed continued development of ballistic missiles specifically designed to deliver weapons of mass destruction.”

U.S. Rep. Martha McSally had a similar reaction: It was dangerous to lift sanctions on Iran.

I commend President Trump for comprehending what Obama never grasped: you don’t give a dangerous regime unilateral concessions in weakness, you stop them with strength. Read my full statement on @realDonaldTrump‘s decision below and here: https://t.co/v0bwwsHxWA pic.twitter.com/0achwWXWqX

— Martha McSally (@RepMcSally) May 8, 2018

U.S. Rep Andy Biggs referred to the State Department’s report that Iran was the biggest sponsor of terrorism in a statement.

“As we go forward, I believe President Trump will forge an agreement that will benefit the United States, our allies (including Israel), and the people of Iran,” Biggs said. “I applaud President Trump for his convictions and leadership to protect America’s interests.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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