Durbin expects Iran nuclear talks to be extended past deadline

Posted on June 29, 2015

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said the U.S should allow for nuclear talks with Iran to go past the June 30 deadline. (Photo courtesy Facebook/Dick Durbin)

By John Gregory/Illinois Radio Network

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) expects talks on Iran’s nuclear program to go past the June 30 deadline.

It was a self-imposed deadline to reach a final deal on lifting economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for limits on its nuclear research and stockpiles of enriched uranium. Durbin said crafting a good agreement is more important than hitting any target date.

“If they need a little more to try to reach that agreement, I want them to take it,” Durbin said. “What we’re trying to do here is to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons that threaten Israel and their neighbors in the Middle East, and would trigger a race for other nuclear powers to develop in that Arabian Peninsula.”

Durbin won’t give any absolute deadline for when the U.S. should consider cutting off negotiations, but he also cautions that there’s no guarantee a deal will be reached, referencing President Obama’s remarks that the chances are “50/50.”

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…