Blum: 'Lots of issues' with Iran nuclear agreement

CEDAR RAPIDS — While others spent the weekend reading Harper Lee's newly released novel, U.S. Rep. Rod Blum was reading the Iranian nuclear agreement.

Like many of those who read 'Go Set a Watchman,' Blum was disappointed.

His initial opinion was based on what he had heard and read about the agreement negotiated by the U.S., it allies and Iran.

'I thought that if those things are in it I won't be supporting it. They are, in fact, in it,' the 1st District Republicans from Dubuque said. 'There are lots of issues I have with it.'

Blum, who shared many of his concerns with the agreement in tweets as he was reading it, said his biggest issues is that it removes economic sanctions imposed on Iran, but doesn't require the dismantling of its nuclear program.

Iran has the largest ballistic missile arsenal in the Middle East-agreement removes sanctions re missile technology after 8 short yrs.July 19, 2015

Iran has the largest ballistic missile arsenal in the Middle East-agreement removes sanctions re missile technology after 8 short yrs.

— Rod Blum (@RodBlum)

'We should have said that if you dismantle the program and we can verify that … but instead they get to keep it,' Blum said. 'Right off the top that's a non-starter for me.

Pg 6-Par. 2&6 - Iran gets to keep of nearly ALL of its nuclear infrastructure - it just promises it won't use most of it for 10 yrs.July 18, 2015

Pg 6-Par. 2&6 - Iran gets to keep of nearly ALL of its nuclear infrastructure - it just promises it won't use most of it for 10 yrs.

— Rod Blum (@RodBlum)

Blum doesn't think he's going to be able to support the agreement when it comes to the House floor for a vote. He predicted that Republicans and democrats alike will have similar issues with the agreement.

He considers Iran a rogue nation and a leading state sponsor of terrorism.

'With their statements of 'Death to America' and saying they want to wipe Israel off the face of the earth, that's not the kind of country we want possessing a nuclear bomb,' Blum said.

'It's going to be interesting, very interesting,' Blum said about the coming debate.