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Montana politics, elections and legislative news

Sen. Tester: Iran Agreement A Step In The Right Direction

Sen. Jon Tester
Sen. Jon Tester

Senator Jon Tester announced Wednesday he will support the Iran nuclear agreement when it comes before lawmakers. He says he came to that decision after personally reading the proposed agreement, talking with experts, and listening to Montanans.

"Just know this is not based on trust," says Senator Tester.

The Democrat says the agreement is based on intrusive inspections and aggressive monitoring.

"I can say this agreement is the right option right now to keep Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, and that’s why I am going to be supporting it. That does not mean I’m going to trust Iran. This agreement, I believe, is not built on trust. And it shouldn’t be built on trust."

It is a sentiment expressed repeatedly by President Obama.

Tester says while the agreement is not perfect, it is a step in the right direction.

This negotiated agreement between the U.S., other world governments, and Iran is aimed at forcing Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions. In exchange, sanctions would be loosened.

That has caused at least one group to launch a TV ad campaign that’s scheduled to start Thursday in Montana. Veterans Against the Deal was formed last month as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit and doesn’t have to disclose who’s funding it. The ad features Robert Bartlett, a veteran wounded by an Iranian bomb.

Here’s an excerpt from the minute long ad:

"Every politican who’s involved in this will be held accountable. They will have blood on their hands. A vote for this deal will mean more money for Iranian terrorism. What do you think they’re going to do when they get more money?"

Tester says he hadn’t yet seen the ad.

"I think it’s very unfortunate when people get hurt in the theater of war and I have tremendous empathy for people who get hurt, lose limbs, lose functionality with their body."

Tester hopes the agreement will lead Iran to be a more stable force rather than continue to be disruptive. But he says only time will tell.

"I have to look at this agreement from what’s best for Montana, what’s best for the country what’s best for the world. This is probably the most important vote I will take as a United States Senator. Why? Because I don’t think anybody wants to see Iran with a nuclear weapon. This rolls back their nuclear capacity.  Does it roll it back forever? Ideally it could, but realistically it probably won’t, but it gives us some time to work with the international community so they don’t have a nuclear weapon in a month or three," says Tester.

Congress is now on its August recess. It will take up the agreement when it returns.

Republican Senator Steve Daines has already said he is against the deal.

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