Washington, DC — Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement regarding the international negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program.

"I am encouraged by the apparent progress in the P5+1 negotiations with Iran and will scrupulously review the framework announced today by President Obama to curtail Iran’s dangerous nuclear ambitions. A final agreement must safeguard the United States and our allies in the Middle East, particularly Israel, from advancement of Iranian military nuclear technology and include aggressive verification procedures and complete transparency from the regime.

"In the coming weeks and months, I will review the proposed agreement, ask the tough questions of the Administration as it makes its case for the final deal, and urge all my colleagues to act in a clearheaded, careful and non-partisan way as they consider this most serious of national security challenges."