DEFENSE/FOREIGN POLICY/IRAN/JAMES MATTIS/NATIONAL SECURITY/NUCLEAR: “Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis told lawmakers Tuesday [10-3-17] that he supports the 2015 international nuclear deal with Iran, even though President Donald Trump has called it ‘one of the worst and most one-sided’ agreements ever made by the U.S…
Mr. Trump must certify to Congress whether Iran remains in compliance with the deal by an Oct. 15 deadline. Last week, Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testified that Iran is complying with the terms of the deal and that it had successfully ‘delayed Iran’s development of nuclear weapons.’
Mr. Trump repeatedly has criticized the deal for overlooking Iran’s missile development and regional military involvements, including its support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also has said Iran has remained in technical compliance with the terms of the deal…
Mr. Mattis made his comments before the Senate Armed Services Committee at a hearing held to discuss U.S. strategy in Afghanistan. On that issue, members of the committee expressed frustration that the Pentagon had not given them details of the strategy, which Mr. Trump outlined in August.”
-Nancy A. Youssef, “Iran Nuclear Deal Is in Interests of U.S., Mattis Says,” The Wall Street Journal online, Oct. 3, 2017 07:13pm