February 19, 2021 

Dear Senator Menendez, 

We represent multiple groups in New Jersey who support the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to return to compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or Iran nuclear deal, in tandem with Iran. These measures were initially agreed to by the P5+1 (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, plus Germany), and Iran on July 14, 2015. They became effective on January 16, 2016, securing an international agreement that effectively cut off pathways to an Iranian nuclear weapon. The JCPOA was unanimously endorsed by the United Nations Security Council.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verified that Iran was in compliance with all terms of the JCPOA until May 2019, a year after the United States withdrew from the deal and reimposed sanctions. Following the Trump administration's maximum pressure campaign and 2018 unilateral withdrawal from the JCPOA, Iran gradually ceased complying with limits under the accord. Iran’s nuclear program is now advancing without effective restraints, tensions have risked boiling over to war, threatening Israel and the rest of the Middle East as well as American interests and citizens. Meanwhile, the Iranian people are caught between government repression and punishing sanctions. 

Iran’s steps outside of the JCPOA are reversible, and, according to Iran’s official position, they will return to compliance with their obligations if the U.S. does the same. President Biden has diminished leverage and a short window to reverse this damage ahead of Iran’s June 2021 elections. The best and only option for Biden is to uphold our prior commitments, return to the deal and seek to engage Iran in follow-on negotiations. 

We recognize that there are significant disputes between the U.S. and Iran, including over regional security and human rights in Iran. However, such tensions are worsened by sanctions and military threats, whereas diplomacy has succeeded on the nuclear issue. Restoring the JCPOA provides a sound platform for further diplomacy to address the full range of areas of disagreement between the US and Iran.

We ask that you make a public statement in support of President Biden taking all diplomatic measures necessary to re-enter the JCPOA.

Sincerely, 

August 9th Saving Lives Task Force 
Coalition for Peace Action
Grace United Church of Christ
Green Party of New Jersey 
Jewish Voice for Peace, Northern New Jersey
Leonia Vigil for Peace and Justice 
Morristown Peace Vigil
New Jersey Peace Action 
NJ Anti-War Agenda
NJ State Industrial Union Council
Pax Christi New Jersey
People’s Organization For Progress
Sacred Heart Peace Community
SOMA Action
Teaneck Peace Vigil
Veterans For Peace Chapter 021
Women's International League for Peace & Freedom Essex County
350NJ-Rockland