John Kerry

I am gratified by the U.N. panel conclusion that has been reported on in the last couple of days about the October test.

If we had walked away from the deal, the focus would have been on American negotiating tactics.

The reason, among many, that I supported the deal is I think the U.S. has to try diplomacy first.

I strongly supported this deal and continue to, and I strongly support tough enforcement of the deal.

The only way that the JCPOA is likely to make the Middle East a better place rather than a worse one is if the United States uses it to remain involved in the region.

I fear that the JCPOA will justify another 'pivot to Asia,' which... was nothing more than an excuse for pivoting away from the Middle East.

An Iranian nuclear arsenal threatened to enable further Iranian subversion and/or aggression in the Middle East.

I see the JCPOA as a pretty good deal for 15 years, but after that it's a bet.

I think it far more likely that were the United States to turn down the JCPOA, we would find ourselves in a far worse position.

I believe that stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons militarily would likely require a major war, and quite possibly a full-scale U.S. invasion and occupation of Iran.

I believe that, imperfect as it is, accepting the deal is considerably better for the United States than any of the realistic alternatives.

The only thing that is required for sanctions relief is that there be a conversation and that the IAEA issue a report.

Any cheating--any failure by Iran to meet all of its obligations--will result in the immediate termination of the agreement.

The burden should rest on Iran to prove its compliance, not on the U.N. to prove its failure to comply.

Because the answer in my assessment to each of these questions is 'No,' it is important for the Congress to reject the agreement.

As President Obama has stated, a bad agreement is worse than no agreement.

We will not rush and we will not be rushed.

There is another path open to Congress. Work with the President to strengthen America's position in the Middle East.

I also fear a vote of disapproval would weaken the effectiveness and credibility of the United States in the Middle East and around the world.

If Congress votes to disapprove and manages to override the President's veto, it would very likely dismantle the agreement.

A vote of disapproval in the absence of a credible alternative, would, after 10 years of effort, be self-defeating for our country.

Successful implementation of the nuclear deal will require strong, self confident and determined American leadership.

The United States should reaffirm publicly that we have vital national interests in the Persian Gulf and that we will use military force, if necessary, to defend them.

I do not believe we will experience anything approaching a normal relationship with the Iranian Government as some in our own country have suggested.

I hope members of both parties will work with the administration to strengthen our ability to implement the agreement successfully.