Washington:Senior Democratic lawmakers have called on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to provide Congress with an immediate briefing on the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the United States and Iran to end a conflict that lasted for more than three months.
The ranking Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs, Intelligence and Armed Services committees, Congressman Gregory Meeks, Congressman Jim Himes and Congressman Adam Smith, sent a letter Wednesday asking Rubio to brief lawmakers as soon as he returns to Washington.
Rubio is now traveling with US President Donald Trump, who is in France for the G7 Summit and associated meetings. The lawmakers said Congress needed a clearer understanding of the agreement and the administration’s plans for implementing it.
In the letter, the Congressmen said, “While we welcome the Administration's turn toward diplomacy and its decision to end this war of choice, the Administration must provide Congress with greater details about the MoU, any side agreements, and the Administration's plan and strategy for the 60-day ceasefire period.”
Review of sanctions, nuclear programme and regional securityDemocratic leaders sought information on a number of key issues, including sanctions relief, Iran’s nuclear program and reports of economic and reconstruction funding tied to the deal. They also criticized the administration for giving confusing public explanations about the deal.
“On all these questions, the Administration has already contradicted itself repeatedly while asking the American people to trust the contents of an agreement that has not been made available to them,” the lawmakers said.
The letter also asked for documents pertinent to Congress to be provided prior to any briefing. "We request that this briefing be held at the earliest opportunity and that all relevant documents, including the full text of the MoU and any related agreements or implementing arrangements, be provided to Congress in advance.
The lawmakers also asked for clarification on whether the deal imposes any limits on Iran’s ballistic missile program or its support for proxy groups across the Middle East.
Concerns over war's impactThe Congressmen highlighted the human and economic costs of the conflict, stating that 14 US service members had been killed since the war began on February 28, while hundreds more were injured. They also cited damage to critical American assets in the region, depleted military stockpiles and significant pain suffered by regional allies.
The lawmakers said the conflict also has helped drive up skyrocketing global prices for food, oil and other commodities, while the closing of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted international trade and energy supplies.