Subject: Iran tonight
From: Dan Schwerin <[email-masked]>
To: John Podesta <[email-masked]>, Laura Rosenberger <[email-masked]>, Jake Sullivan <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 2015 15:32:28 -0400

Here's where we've landed:

I want to start by saying something about one of the most serious decisions
we face today as a nation – the Iranian nuclear agreement.

As Secretary of State, I traveled tens of thousands of miles and twisted a
lot of arms to build a global coalition against Iran and impose the most
crippling sanctions in history.  That pressure delivered a blow to Iran’s
economy and gave us the leverage necessary to get to the negotiating table
and begin the first preliminary talks.

Now, thanks to President Obama, Secretary Kerry, and Secretary Moniz, we
have an agreement that blocks Iran’s pathways to a bomb and gives us new
tools for verification and inspection to compel rigorous Iranian
compliance.

There are people of good faith on both sides of this debate, people who are
committed to protecting our security and the security of our allies,
especially Israel, a true friend of America.

None of us should have any illusions about Iran’s true intentions or its
continuing threat to Israel, the region, and the United States.  That
threat is real and it must be confronted, including how we enforce this
agreement and deter Iranian aggression and sponsorship of terrorism.

But our path is clear.  This agreement, combined with strong enforcement
and deterrence, is the only way to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear
weapon.

There simply is no viable alternative.

That’s why I strongly support President Obama.  And I encourage all of you
to get involved and let Congress know that you support the President as
well.

And when this debate is over, we need to come together to ensure the
President has the tools, resources, and support to send a clear message to
Iran:  Cheat, and you will pay.  When you threaten Israel, you threaten
America. And make no mistake, we will never allow you to acquire a nuclear
weapon; not just during the term of this agreement -- never.