Pence says he’s against Iran nuclear deal

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence on Tuesday voiced his opposition to the Iran nuclear agreement, saying the state intends to maintain its sanctions against the country.

Pence joined 14 other Republican governors in sending a letter to President Barack Obama expressing opposition to the agreement. Pence said the agreement is a “bad deal and should be rejected.”

The international agreement is designed to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. But the group of governors are taking issue with the deal, which would lead to a loosening of federal economic sanctions against Iran.

“I am opposed to this agreement because it will not make the United States or our most cherished ally, Israel, safer. Instead, it promises Iran a lifting of United States nuclear-related sanctions for an agreement on Iran’s nuclear weapons program that will only halt its ambitions temporarily, rather than permanently dismantle its nuclear desires,” Pence wrote in a separate letter to Indiana’s congressional delegation.

Indiana has a host of sanctions against Iran, including restrictions preventing state and local contractors from providing a certain level of goods or services to Iran’s energy sector.

Indiana’s sanctions against Iran also place restrictions on the investment of state pension funds and other public funds.

Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly backs Iran nuke deal

The state has not encountered or suspended a vendor due to a violation of such a sanction, according to Pence spokeswoman Kara Brooks.

“(The state) has no records or documents for any executive branch agencies of state government that might reflect a sanction being imposed,” according to Brooks.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, while answering questions at a House hearing, said states could maintain their sanctions. However, Kerry said the Obama administration would take steps to urge states not to interfere with the agreement if Iran is fully complying with it.

The deal was reached by the U.S., Iran and five other countries.

The House is set to vote on a GOP resolution disapproving of the deal on Friday. However, in the Senate, enough Democrats now support the deal that they can block a similar resolution from coming up for a vote.

U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly, a Granger Democrat, announced in August his support of the deal. It’s also supported by former Republican U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar.

Among the rest of Indiana’s delegation, U.S. Sen. Dan Coats has been a vocal opponent, along with most Republicans serving in the House.

Pence is joined on the letter to Obama by a number of Republican presidential contenders. They include Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

Call Star reporter Chelsea Schneider at (317) 444-6077. Follow her on Twitter: @indystarchelsea.