Earlier today we referred to a letter written by an incredible group of liberal, left and peace groups calling the Senate to uphold the Iran deal, not destroy it by passing further sanctions. Here’s the letter.

January 14, 2014

To: Members of the U.S. Senate

The following 62 organizations are writing to warn that Senate passage of new Iran sanctions would critically endanger the possibility of a diplomatic resolution to the nuclear standoff with Iran, increasing the likelihood of a nuclear-armed Iran and an unnecessary and costly war. We call on you to not cosponsor S.1881 (the “Nuclear Weapon Free

Iran Act of 2013”) and strongly discourage Senate consideration of new Iran sanctions while negotiations proceed.

The Joint Plan of Action signed between the P5+1 and Iran in November boosts American and regional security by freezing and rolling back Iran’s nuclear program for the first time in nearly a decade. The agreement also institutes unprecedented transparency for international inspectors, including daily inspection of Iran’s enrichment facilities.

However, as part of the agreement, the U.S. has agreed to “refrain from imposing new

nuclear-related sanctions” on Iran. Even with the delay mechanisms included in S.1881, U.S. and Iranian officials warn that new Congressional sanctions would kill the deal. The White House has added that new Congressional sanctions would be perceived as a sign of bad faith by allies critical to the enforcement of the sanctions regime, including the other permanent members of the UN Security Council. As a result, new sanctions will erode rather than strengthen our leverage for negotiations. Further, an unclassified U.S. intelligence assessment warns that, “new sanctions would undermine the prospects for a successful comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran.”

S.1881 also sets insurmountable demands for a comprehensive nuclear deal by insisting that Iran dismantle its entire “nuclear infrastructure, including enrichment and reprocessing capabilities and facilities.” Such a demand is a poison pill for negotiations and is not necessary to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran.

Further, any comprehensive deal will require trading in existing sanctions for Iranian nuclear concessions. But the sanctions provisions included in S.1881 could only be waived by the President for a final nuclear deal if Iran agrees to the zero enrichment demand, effectively eliminating the President’s ability to offer sanctions relief. Rather than attack Presidential waiver authority, Congress should ensure that the President has full authority to lift sanctions as part of a comprehensive deal.

By foreclosing diplomatic prospects, new sanctions would set us on a path to war. The

American people have made it clear that they do not want another war in the Middle East and strongly support pursuing diplomatic prospects until they are exhausted. It would be the height of irresponsibility to step in and undercut diplomatic negotiations before this opportunity has the chance to bear fruit.

We strongly urge you to withhold co-sponsorship of S.1881 and delay consideration of new

Iran sanctions while negotiations are ongoing.

Sincerely,

National Iranian American Council

Friends Committee on National Legislation

Win Without War

Adventist Peace Fellowship

American Friends Service Committee

American Values Network

Americans for Peace Now

AntiWar.com

Augustinians Province of St. Thomas Villanova

Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America

Berim

Center for Interfaith Engagement, Eastern Mennonite University

Center for International Policy

CODEPINK

Come Home America

Conference of Major Superiors of Men

Council for a Livable World

CREDO

Daily Kos

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding

Evangelicals for Social Action

Fellowship of Reconciliation

Franciscan Action Network

Global Exchange

Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ

GlobalSolutions.org

Havaar

Institute for Policy Studies, New Internationalism Project

International Civil Society Action Network

Islamic Society of North America

J Street

Jewish Voice for Peace

Just Foreign Policy

Maryknoll Office For Global Concerns

Mennonite Central Committee U.S.

MoveOn.org

Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice

Muslim Public Affairs Voice

Muslims for Progressive Values

New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good

On Earth Peace

Orthodox Peace Fellowship

Pax Christi International

Peace Action

Peace Action West

Physicians for Social Responsibility

Presbyterian Church (USA)

Progressive Democrats of America

River University Chaplain

The Shalom Center

Shomer Shalom Network for Jewish Nonviolence

Society of the Divine Savior American

Province

Sojourners

Tikkun/The Network of Spiritual Progressives

United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries

United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society

U.S. Province of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit

USAction

Veterans for Peace

Women’s Action for New Directions

Young Democrats of America