Subramanyam Questions Iran Deal, Says Security Concerns Remain

Washington — Indian American Congressman Suhas Subramanyam has questioned the Trump administration’s agreement with Iran, saying the deal may reduce immediate tensions but leaves major security concerns unresolved.

In an interview with IANS, the Democratic lawmaker said the agreement could help lower the risk of further military escalation in the Middle East, but he argued that it does not address the central issues behind Washington’s confrontation with Tehran.

“This Iran deal, yes, it means less bombs, which is one good thing,” Subramanyam said.

However, he said he had concerns about the administration’s approach to negotiations.

“I don’t have a lot of faith in this administration to negotiate,” he said.

“It seems like the Iran deal is a step back from what we had even in 2015 when we had a real nuclear deal in place with very measurable returns.”

Subramanyam said the recent conflict may have strengthened Iran’s leverage in the region rather than weakened it.

“All that’s happened with this war is it has given Iran more of leverage over the region and over the world by allowing it to have some form of leverage,” he said.

The Trump administration has described the agreement as a breakthrough that could ease tensions in the Gulf and help restore commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor.

But Subramanyam said shipping companies and traders are unlikely to quickly return to normal operations.

“A lot of ships have concerns about going through there,” he said.

“So it’s gonna take a long time to normalize trade through the Strait of Hormuz.”

The congressman also said the agreement does not appear to meet its broader security goals.

“And then this does nothing when it comes to Iran’s support of terrorism,” he said.

“It does nothing to curtail Iran’s nuclear program, which is the whole point of the war.”

Subramanyam said the episode could have wider consequences for U.S. diplomacy and global influence.

“I don’t know if it’s a decline of US power,” he said.

“But it certainly this war has undermined this administration’s diplomatic efforts and also their ability to follow through on kinetic threats.”

He added that the impact could extend beyond the Middle East.

“What has happened is this administration is weakening the US standing in the world and its standing diplomatically, and that’s gonna have long term repercussions,” he said.

Subramanyam also warned about what he described as growing hostility toward Indian Americans and other minority communities in the United States.

“We wanna make sure we call out hate in all forms, including against the Indian American community,” he said.

He said such incidents have become increasingly visible, especially online.

“We have seen it in many ways,” he said.

“I see it on my own social media. People will respond, saying to go back where I came from. They’ll say that I’m not a real American.”

Subramanyam said public officials and community leaders must speak out against hate and discrimination.

“We can’t stay silent when that thing happens,” he said.

“We can’t stay silent when there’s things like a flag burning that happens. We have to call it out where we see it.”

Asked whether political rhetoric was contributing to divisions, Subramanyam said inflammatory language from across the political spectrum was damaging.

“There’s rhetoric coming from the far right and there’s rhetoric coming from the far left, and none of it is helpful,” he said.

“And so that’s why we have to call it out when we see it.” (Source: IANS)