Sen. Tom Carper Thomas (Tom) Richard CarperDemocrat asks for probe of EPA's use of politically appointed lawyers Overnight Energy: Study links coronavirus mortality to air pollution exposure | Low-income, minority households pay more for utilities: report OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Democrats push resolution to battle climate change, sluggish economy and racial injustice | Senators reach compromise on greenhouse gas amendment stalling energy bill | Trump courts Florida voters with offshore drilling moratorium MORE announced Thursday that he'll support President Obama's historic nuclear deal with Iran.



The Delaware Democrat characterized the agreement as "a transformative opportunity" for peace in the Middle East while accusing critics of failing to read the details.



"America and our five negotiating partners — Great Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China — have reached an historic agreement with Iran to end their pursuit of nuclear weapons for years and, maybe, forever," Carper wrote in an op-ed in Delaware's News Journal. "The deal provides Iran an opportunity to rebuild its economy and shed the pariah status it’s borne for decades, a status that belies the culture and history of that nation."



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Carper becomes the 30th senator to back the deal , inching Obama ever closer to the 34 upper chamber votes the Democrats would need to sustain the president's promised veto of a Republican resolution to sink the agreement.The process might not get that far. Only two Senate Democrats — Charles Schumer (N.Y.) and Bob Menendez (N.J.) — have announced their opposition to the agreement, raising questions about whether Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) can find the 60 votes needed to pass the disapproval measure at all.McConnell, who would need six Democrats to reach that filibuster-ending threshold, has said Obama has a "great likelihood of success" in finalizing the accord.Carper pointed to three elements of the deal that solidified his decision.First, it would prevent Iran from obtaining the materials to build nuclear weapons, he said. Second, it forces Iran to accept "the most intrusive nuclear inspections in history." And third, it hinges sanctions relief on Iran's compliance with the terms."If Iran tries to cheat, America can trigger the imposition of the same crippling sanctions without the consent of any other country," he said. "And if that’s not enough of a hammer to ensure Iranian compliance, just remember that nothing in this deal constrains America’s ability to take action — military or otherwise — if Iran violates the agreement."Carper emphasized that he doesn't trust Iranian political leaders but also highlighted that the country has moved in a direction of moderation following the reign of former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Carper said his decision hinged largely on what he characterized as "a sea change in Iranian political leadership.""Gone is hardliner President Ahmadinejad," he wrote. "Iranians overwhelmingly elected Hassan Rouhani, a western-educated moderate, in 2013. President Rouhani appointed a like-minded moderate, Javad Zarif, as Iran’s foreign minister."Carper blasted the critics of the deal — including most Republicans and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — for attacking the agreement before it was ever finalized."Critics insist that America cannot trust Iran. I agree. While I believe Zarif and his team have negotiated in good faith, I still have serious doubts about their government. So does the Obama Administration, for that matter. That’s why this deal is based on mistrust," Carper said."This is a good deal for America and our allies, including Israel, one of our closest allies," he added. "And, oh yes. It beats the likely alternative — war with Iran — hands down."