Gillen, Tenney Lead Bipartisan Letter Urging No Nuclear Enrichment for Iran; Call for Snapback Sanctions if Talks Fall Through
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) led a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and United States Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff urging that any nuclear deal with Iran must permanently dismantle its capacity to enrich uranium. The letter additionally calls for snapback sanctions to be applied if negotiations does not achieve a full dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program.
“We wholeheartedly agree that Iran must not retain any capacity to enrich uranium or continue advancing its nuclear weapons infrastructure,” wrote the Representatives. “Tehran’s ongoing enrichment of uranium to near weapons-grade levels, coupled with its installation of advanced centrifuges, has pushed it to the brink of nuclear breakout—a profoundly alarming threat to regional stability and U.S. national security. These developments underscore the need for any agreement to require the complete dismantlement of Iran’s enrichment capabilities. There is widespread bipartisan support for this requirement and we appreciate your commitment to this essential cornerstone of any agreement.”
“Should negotiations fail to yield a suitable agreement that completely dismantles Iran’s nuclear enrichment, we urge you to cooperate closely with our E3 allies to promptly invoke the snapback mechanism under U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231,” continued the Representatives. “The Iranian regime must understand that the United States is unwavering in its demand that Iran’s uranium enrichment capability be totally dismantled.”
“Iran’s long history of obfuscation, deception, and failed adherence to international agreements has left no viable option but a total dismantling of its nuclear program," said Tyler Stapleton, Director of Government Relations at FDD Action. Congress is correct to insist the United Nations Security Council invoke the snapback of sanctions on Iran should negotiations fail to reach an amicable solution. Any nuclear pact must be submitted for review through the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act. Congressional oversight of a nuclear deal with Iran is the only way to ensure an agreement is faithfully implemented and violations are thoroughly enforced.”
The letter was additionally signed by Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02), Rep. Dan Goldman (NY-10), Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02), Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Rep. Wesley Bell (MO-01), Rep. Eugene Vindman (VA-07), Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-22), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Rep. Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), Rep. Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01), and Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36).
The full letter can be read HERE and below.
Dear Secretary Rubio and Special Envoy Witkoff:
We welcome your efforts to achieve the complete and permanent dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear weapons program. We wholeheartedly agree that Iran must not retain any capacity to enrich uranium or continue advancing its nuclear weapons infrastructure.
Tehran’s ongoing enrichment of uranium to near weapons-grade levels, coupled with its installation of advanced centrifuges, has pushed it to the brink of nuclear breakout—a profoundly alarming threat to regional stability and U.S. national security. Iran could now produce enough weapons grade uranium for ten nuclear weapons within a month. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that “the Agency has lost continuity of knowledge regarding the production and current inventory of centrifuges, rotors and bellows, heavy water, and UOC, which it will not be possible to restore.” These developments underscore the need for any agreement to require the complete dismantlement of Iran’s enrichment capabilities. There is widespread bipartisan support for this requirement and we appreciate your commitment to this essential cornerstone of any agreement.
Should negotiations fail to yield a suitable agreement that completely dismantles Iran’s nuclear enrichment, we urge you to cooperate closely with our E3 allies to promptly invoke the snapback mechanism under U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231. While UNSCR 2231 formally expires on October 18, 2025, given the timeline necessary to successfully invoke snapback sanctions, the process must begin by late Summer at the latest if no deal is reached. Iran’s repeated violations must be met with clear consequences. Reimposing multilateral sanctions swiftly and in a coordinated manner will reaffirm the international community’s commitment to preventing Iran from advancing its nuclear enrichment program.
Finally, we know you recognize the importance of sustained Congressional oversight throughout this process. Under the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act (INARA), any agreements made with Iran must be submitted to Congress for consideration. Further, for any agreement to endure, it must have strong bipartisan support. We urge you to engage with Congress as negotiations proceed to ensure that any final agreement commands broad support.
The Iranian regime must understand that the United States is unwavering in its demand that Iran’s uranium enrichment capability be totally dismantled. We appreciate your leadership on this pressing matter vital to America’s national security interests and stand ready to work in a bipartisan manner to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Sincerely,