A resolution affirming the acceptable outcome of any nuclear deal between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and for other purposes.
This is a Senate resolution (S. Res. 212) introduced in the 119th Congress that states the Senate’s preferred outcome for any nuclear agreement with Iran. It declares that the acceptable outcome should be the complete dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program, followed by a U.S.–Iran “Agreement for Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation” under Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act (a formal framework for peaceful nuclear cooperation). The resolution would also require Iran to adopt the IAEA’s Additional Protocol for verification and to forgo domestic uranium enrichment, spent fuel reprocessing, and the development or possession of related infrastructure. The measure frames these terms as conditions tied to a 123 Agreement, and it includes an extensive set of verification and transparency provisions. The resolution also commends direct talks with Iran and emphasizes concerns about Iran’s past behavior and regional goals, signaling a hardline stance toward Iran’s nuclear program. As a Senate resolution, this document expresses the Senate’s policy position and preference for how any deal should look. It is not a binding law, but it could influence diplomacy by signaling the Senate’s expectations to the Administration and to negotiators. Status: Introduced May 8, 2025 by Senators Graham, Cotton, and Britt; referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Key Points
- 11) Purpose and nature: The resolution articulates the Senate’s preferred outcome for any Iran nuclear deal—complete dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program, followed by a 123 Agreement for peaceful nuclear cooperation with strict nonproliferation conditions.
- 22) Core requirements for the deal: The proposed outcome requires Iran to adopt the IAEA Additional Protocol for verification and to forgo all enrichment, reprocessing, and related infrastructure or capacity.
- 33) Verification and monitoring details: To meet “complete dismantlement,” the measure envisions comprehensive IAEA verification, including unconditional access, short-notice inspections of all sites, environmental sampling, monitoring of communications, and visas for IAEA inspectors. It also calls for access to information on nuclear fuel-cycle activities, research and development, and sensitive technologies, plus verification at manufacturing and export/import locations.
- 44) The 123 Agreement framework: The resolution ties the dismantlement outcome to a future 123 Agreement under the Atomic Energy Act, ensuring that any peaceful cooperation adheres to nonproliferation safeguards, including the Additional Protocol and prohibitions on enrichment/reprocessing infrastructure.
- 55) Context and justification: The “Whereas” clauses lay out a historical narrative about Iran’s nuclear activities, enrichment milestones, and international assessments, and they express skepticism about Iran’s intentions while highlighting the U.S. and allied desire to prevent a nuclear weapons capability.