WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US Congress should approve the nuclear agreement with Iran reached between six world powers and Tehran in Vienna this July, 26 former and current leaders of Jewish organizations said in a letter revealed on Thursday.
"We strongly urge Congress to support the Iran agreement," the letter, published in The New York Times, read. "The agreement negotiated between the P5+1 nations and Iran cuts off Iran’s ability to pursue a nuclear weapon."
The White House has stated on many occasions that the deal cuts all pathways for Iran to obtaining a nuclear weapon. However, many Republican members of the US Congress criticized the agreement, which has also been attacked by Israeli politicians.
The Jewish leaders, including National Jewish Democratic Council Chair Greg Rosenbaum and former American Jewish Committee President Alfred Moses, said in the letter that the deal is not perfect, but it is the best available option to halt Iran’s nuclear program.
"We remain deeply concerned that Iran is unflinchingly anti-Semitic and an unapologetic state-sponsor of terrorism," the letter read. "However, a nuclear-armed Iran would be even more dangerous."
Under US law, members of Congress have until September 17 to fully review the final nuclear deal with Iran and pass or reject it.
US President Barack Obama has threatened to veto any resolution of disapproval from Congress. In order to block a presidential veto, both the House of Representatives and Senate would have to secure a two-thirds majority vote.
