WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Susan Collins issued the following statement today regarding the nuclear agreement with Iran:
"While I believe that an effective, verifiable diplomatic solution would be the best possible outcome for halting the Iranian pursuit of a nuclear weapon, I have several concerns about the plan as I continue to analyze it.
"The plan does not require the Iranians to suspend enrichment as required by existing U.N. Security Council resolutions. It also apparently does not require the dismantling of centrifuges and does not deal with delivery systems.
"Iran is also not required to roll back the construction of its heavy water reactor in Arak or convert this facility into a light water reactor that would be less useful for the production of the material needed for a nuclear weapon.
"Given Iran's past failures to keep its commitments, I am also deeply concerned that Iran did not agree to all of the intrusive inspections that the well-respected International Atomic Energy Agency maintains are necessary to ensure that Iran is abiding by the agreement and not performing nuclear-related work at undeclared locations.
"In the next weeks, the Senate will closely examine whether the Administration's plan to ease sanctions worth billions of dollars to the Iranians in exchange for this agreement is the right policy. At this point, I have many concerns about whether or not this plan is in America's best interests."