WASHINGTON, D.C. (WOWOW): U.S. Senator Dan Coats, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement Thursday afternoon, regarding Iranian nuclear talks:

“The framework agreement announced today in Switzerland is intended to reassure us that negotiations are on track. Although it contains a number of details that have been obscured until now, the broad parameters are not a surprise and continue to alarm. Most importantly, Iran will be allowed to retain a robust industrial-capacity ability to enrich uranium, the core of nuclear weapons. Also, the most important constraints on Iran’s nuclear enterprise imposed by a future agreement will expire in ten years. These are fatal flaws.

“Another issue of concern is the problem of verification. Iran is a dangerous and irresponsible regime that cannot be believed or trusted. It is hard to take at face value the Obama Administration’s assurances that Iranian compliance can be effectively verified. I have seen this all before when we were told our agreements with North Korea could be verified and would lead to a safer world. We were misled by that illusion, and I fear we are making the same mistake in negotiating with another rogue regime.

“I welcome the President Obama’s assurances that he will consult soon with Congress. But we must move beyond consultations. Now the Senate must move immediately to make sure any future agreement with Iran can be assessed and accepted or rejected by Congress. This is an essential requirement for any lasting solution.”