Iran deal built on verification, not trust
By Brittany Kimzey

As a young activist fighting to eliminate nuclear weapons, I’m often faced with pessimism. Apathetic peers, skeptics who call me naïve, and cynics who believe that complete disarmament is impossible.

But the reality is different.

A growing majority of Americans support a world free of nuclear weapons. Through my work with Global Zero, I find more people every day who are taking concrete actions for a nuclear weapons free world. The only thing holding us back is political will.

Our nation stands on the brink of a monumental agreement that will bring us closer to the elimination of nuclear weapons. Months of tense negotiations between Iran and the United Nations Security Council plus Germany have yielded a deal to halt Iran’s nuclear weapons program. Beyond preventing a tenth country from possessing nuclear weapons, the deal reduces the risk of a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. If the deal fails, Saudi Arabia will likely develop their own nuclear weapons, with Egypt not far behind. Thus, the deal with Iran sets a precedent of peaceful, hard fought diplomacy that promotes security in the region, and takes us closer to a nuclear weapons-free future.

Cynics are quick to point out the dishonest actions taken by Iran in the past. Fortunately, this deal is built on verification, not trust. The deal enacts an indisputable verification system that will constantly monitor all nuclear sites in Iran and any potential suppliers. Additionally, it eases only select sanctions related to Iran’s nuclear weapons program. These  sanctions will snap back into place if Iran violates any part of the agreement. In the past, skeptics of the Global Zero movement have pointed to Iran’s nuclear weapons program to justify their opposition to disarmament. They said Iran would never agree to freeze its nuclear program, let alone roll it back. This deal proves them wrong.

Like so many others right here in Iowa, I hope to live in a world, where every person’s human rights are recognized and respected. A safer, peaceful, and more secure world free of nuclear weapons. The Iran deal demonstrates that, through effective diplomacy and multilateral leadership, we can make this world a reality.

Unfortunately, it’s not the people but Congress who determine whether we accept a deal with Iran and begin to realize our dreams of a nuclear-weapons free world. Our future rests upon their shoulders.

On the precipice of this historic deal, I find no other cause to be as urgent, no other action more critical, than the fight for global zero.

I call on Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley to join me and so many other Iowans in supporting the deal with Iran.

~ Brittany Kimzey is a Global Zero Action Corps Leader based in Iowa City).