The socialist government of France is taking a tougher stance against Iran in the nuclear talks under way in Switzerland than is the United States, Sen. Tom Cotton told Fox News Channel.
"I, like most other Americans, would be happy to see a negotiated deal that blocks Iran's path to a nuclear weapon – not just today and tomorrow, but 10 and 15 years from now," the Arkansas Republican said Tuesday on Fox News Channel's
"The Kelly File."
President Barack Obama is largely alone in his effort to get a deal that would allow Iran to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons in 10 years, Cotton said.
"Three-hundred and seventy members of the House of Representatives said they wanted to see a deal that blocked any path," Cotton said. "The socialist government of France is drawing a harder line than the president is right now."
The last-minute announcement that the talks
would be extended past Tuesday's deadline was a signal of weakness to the Iranians, Cotton said. Critics of the administration's efforts say the United States appears desperate for a deal.
America was in a position of strength because of Congressional sanctions imposed on Iran, Cotton said, but Obama lifted them to get the Iranians to the negotiating table.
"We've continually given away the best cards we hold," he said. "The best approach would be to walk away now, to reinstitute the suspended sanctions and impose new sanctions to get back to a position of strength so we can negotiate a better deal."
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