Two out of three Americans broadly back direct negotiations with Iran about that country's nuclear program, according to a new CNN/ORC poll.
And although about half (49%) say some Republican senators went too far by sending a letter to Iran's leaders warning that any agreement with the Obama administration would require Senate approval, only about one-third (39%) think the letter hurt U.S. Efforts to keep Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Ref. CNN
Khamenei calls 'Death to America' as Kerry hails progress on nuke deal:
Iran's Supreme leader Ali Khamenei called for "Death to America" On Saturday, a day after President Barack Obama appealed to Iran to seize a "historic opportunity" For a nuclear deal and a better future, and as US Secretary of State John Kerry claimed substantial progress toward an accord. Ref. Source 5
Talks on a framework agreement on Iran's nuclear program will likely continue past the self-imposed 6 p.m. ET Tuesday deadline, a spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department says.
Three points have dominated the talks in Lausanne, Switzerland:
-- How quickly or slowly Iran will be allowed to advance its nuclear technology in the last five years of the 15-year agreement.
-- How quickly the crushing U.N. Sanctions will go away.
-- Whether sanctions will snap back into place if Iran violates the deal.
The talks involve representatives from Iran and the P5+1 -- a group comprising the United States, Britain, China, Russia, France and Germany. Ref. CNN
The agreement with Iran, if implemented, "Cuts off every pathway" For Iran to obtain nuclear weapons, President Obama said. It would prevent Iran from producing weapons-grade plutonium and weapons-grade uranium, he said, adding that the agreement includes "Unprecedented verification."
"If Iran cheats the world will know it," He said.
"I am convinced if this framework leads to a final, comprehensive deal, it will make our country, our allies, our world safer," Obama said from the Rose Garden at the White House. Ref. CNN
Congress would be able to review a final nuclear deal with Iran under a bill approved unanimously by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The White House indicates President Obama could support the legislation.
According to an aide to Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, the bill requires the President to submit the final agreement to Congress, which will have up to 52 days to weigh in.
The bill also requires the President to make a series of detailed reports to Congress on a range of issues, including Iran's nuclear program, its ballistic missiles and its support for terrorism. Ref. CNN