On November 4, 1979, a group of radical religious extremists stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking American citizens and diplomats hostage. For 444 days, 52 Americans were chained, humiliated and tortured. Instead of condemning this horrendous act, the Iranian ruling authority has consistently praised these terrorists as patriots, and commemorated this event as a day of celebration. Sadly, the Obama Administration is anxious to make a deal with this very same radical regime.

Instead of standing firm and increasing the sanctions on Iran, the leading exporter of terror, our Administration has publically announced they are willing to concede, making it abundantly clear they will do whatever they can to forge an agreement. That eagerness to compromise will only exacerbate the instability of the Middle East, and in turn, will put our nation’s security, and the security of our allies, at great risk.

The President’s strategy of turning a blind-eye is abhorrent. Iran is a known exporter of terror, and a consistent human rights abuser. Now, there is an actual chance they can add nuclear weapons to their arsenal of terror. We must be ever vigilant when engaging in negotiations with a government that hates America and supports violent extremism all over the world.

On March 20, 367 Members of Congress, including myself, sent a bipartisan letter to the President regarding the nuclear negotiations with Iran. In the letter, we expressed our grave concerns about the size of Iran’s proliferation program and the need to maintain sanctions for decades to ensure the message of a non-nuclear Iran is embedded in the hearts and minds of the Iranian government.

Iran’s government has made it clear that they are no friend to the United States or those who support the United States. On March 21, in honor of the Nowruz, the Persian New Year, the Ayatollah Khamenei spoke to crowds chanting, “Death to America,” where he so aptly responded, “Yes, death to America, because America is the original source of this pressure.” It begs the questions, why would the United States allow sanctions to be lifted on a country that has not restrained their contempt for our nation?

As of Friday, April 3, the P5+1 nuclear negotiation with Iran came to a close with the announcement that the “framework” of the deal has been reached. To no one’s surprise, Iran faired far better in the deal than many had hoped. In the words of Prime Minister Netanyahu, “this deal opens the door to a nuclear arms race,” and in my own words will allow Iran to continue with business as usual in the export and funding of terror.

Congressman Randy Weber represents the 14^th District of Texas, serving Brazoria, Galveston and Jefferson Counties.