Statement of The Iran Project on Extension of Nuclear Talks with Iran

We support the decision of the Permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany
and Iran, to extend the nuclear talks for another four months in order to achieve an agreement
that would severely restrict Irans ability to acquire a nuclear weapon.
Secretary Kerry, in his announcement, summed up succinctly the reasons for the extension: to
turn our back prematurely on diplomatic efforts when significant progress has been made would
deny ourselves the ability to achieve our objectives peacefully, and to maintain the international
unity that we have built...the very real prospect of reaching a good agreement that achieves our
objectives necessitates that we seek more time.
We urge all parties to make every effort to reach an acceptable agreement as soon as possible. To
this end, we also urge that Congress not take actions now that could cause the collapse of these
negotiations such as imposition of new sanctions in violation of the Joint Plan of Action. We are
encouraged by the sense of optimism implicit in the agreement to continue these talks. Success
would represent a victory of Americas 35-year bipartisan policy toward Iran, be a triumph of
Americas commitment to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and eliminate one of most
serious potential threats to the security of our friends in the region.
Ryan Crocker, former Ambassador
Stephen Heintz, President of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund
William Luers, former Ambassador
Thomas R. Pickering, former Ambassador
Paul Pillar, former Intelligence Officer
Jim Walsh, MIT
Frank G. Wisner, former Ambassador