Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, one of the more hawkish voices in the 2016 GOP presidential field, blasted the deal announced Tuesday on Iran’s nuclear program as “akin to declaring war on Israel and Sunni Arabs.”
“My initial impression is that this deal is far worse than I ever dreamed it could be and will be a nightmare for the region, our national security and eventually the world at large,” Mr. Graham told Bloomberg Tuesday morning.
The United States and other world powers announced a historic agreement Tuesday that will impose restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
“If the initial reports regarding the details of this deal hold true, there’s no way as president of the United States I would honor this deal,” Mr. Graham said. “It’s incredibly dangerous for our national security, and it’s akin to declaring war on Sunni Arabs and Israel by the P5+1 because it ensures their primary antagonist, Iran, will become a nuclear power and allows them to rearm conventionally.”
Mr. Graham said former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton’s reaction to the deal “is the first real test of her ability to be president and her judgment.”
“She bears some responsibility for starting the process,” Mr. Graham said of Mrs. Clinton.” “The only question is, will she ratify the results.”
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Congress will now have 60 days to review the deal, and Mr. Graham said there is “no chance” it will be approved by Congress, predicting rejection by “an overwhelming super majority in both the House and the Senate.”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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