Opinion

Diplomacy wins Iran agreement holds the nation accountable for its actions and has some teeth.

Jubilant Iranians sing and wave Iran flags during street celebrations following a landmark nuclear deal, in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, July 14, 2015. After long, fractious negotiations, world powers and Iran struck an historic deal Tuesday to curb Iran's nuclear program in exchange for billions of dollars in relief from international sanctions - an agreement aimed at averting the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran and another U.S. military intervention in the Middle East. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi) less Jubilant Iranians sing and wave Iran flags during street celebrations following a landmark nuclear deal, in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, July 14, 2015. After long, fractious negotiations, world powers and Iran struck ... more Photo: Ebrahim Noroozi, STR Photo: Ebrahim Noroozi, STR Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Diplomacy wins 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

The nuclear deal signed recently with Iran is, predictably, coming under fire from critics of President Barack Obama who say it does not wring enough concessions from the Middle Eastern power.

They point out, correctly, that it does not require Iran to drop its nuclear development program and some, showing the gift for hyperbole they have honed during Obama's administration, charge that it plants the seeds for World War III.

We disagree. We see a solid piece of diplomacy that balances many interests to reach an agreement in which Iran limits its nuclear development in exchange for the removal of international oil and economic sanctions.

This was no easy task, particularly with six very diverse countries, including the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council - the U.S., Great Britain, France, Russia and China - and Germany negotiating with Iran what was formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

It basically accepts the reality that Iran has lots of nuclear experience that the world cannot "bomb" or "sanction" away, as Secretary of State John Kerry told a Senate committee on Thursday, and instead tries to control it.

It prevents Iran from developing weapons-grade uranium for 15 years and subjects it to close monitoring for 25 years by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran affirms in the plan of action that it will never "seek, develop or acquire" a nuclear weapon.

Critics say the timing of nuclear inspections under the plan could allow Iran to hide forbidden nuclear activities. They also complain that it gives Iran future access to conventional weapons that current sanctions prevent.

But if Iran is suspected of violating the deal, it will be subject to renewed sanctions that could be imposed within 65 days.

While not perfect, the agreement holds Iran accountable for its actions and has some teeth. Perhaps the best indication of its worthiness is that hardliners in both the U.S. and Iran are attacking it, with those in the U.S. saying it's not tough enough and those in Iran saying it is too tough.

One thing is certain - it is definitely preferable to another recklessly entered war. If the U.S. has learned anything, it is that the Mideast is not a place for its military to enter lightly.

Some of America's top allies in the region have voiced displeasure with the treaty, but what have they offered as an alternative except more force and more weapons?

We would urge Congress to put political partisanship aside and approve this agreement, which we view as workable and worthwhile. It might even lead to bigger things by showing a conflictive region that diplomacy is a better way than war to resolve differences.