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The Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 (INARA), also known as Public Law 114-17, was a United States federal law enacted to provide Congress with oversight of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the international agreement aimed at limiting Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Introduced as H.R. 1191 in the House of Representatives by Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO) and S. 615 in the Senate by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the bill passed the House on May 14, 2015, by a vote of 400-25, and the Senate on May 22, 2015, by 98-1. President Barack Obama signed it into law on May 26, 2015, despite initial reservations, as it did not directly block the negotiations but ensured legislative review. The act required congressional review of the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA), allowing a vote to approve or disapprove it, and mandated that the President transmit the JCPOA and related documents to Congress within five days of agreement, granting lawmakers a 60-day period (30 for continuous session) to review, debate, and vote on a resolution of approval or disapproval, during which the President could not waive nuclear-related sanctions on Iran.
INARA emerged amid intense political debate over the P5+1 talks (United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, and Germany) with Iran, reflecting concerns from pro-Israel lobbying groups like AIPAC, which campaigned against the deal fearing it would not sufficiently curb Iran's nuclear ambitions. The legislation allowed Congress to potentially override a presidential veto on disapproval resolutions but prohibited amendments to the agreement itself. Although Congress ultimately did not approve or disapprove the JCPOA—allowing it to proceed—the act highlighted divisions within the U.S. government on Iran policy and set a precedent for congressional involvement in executive foreign policy agreements. It was criticized by some as an infringement on presidential authority in diplomacy but praised by others for enhancing transparency and accountability in nuclear non-proliferation efforts.
The act's influence extended to shaping subsequent U.S. policy, including the Trump administration's 2018 withdrawal from the JCPOA, which cited the agreement's flaws partly echoing concerns amplified during INARA's passage. No major legal challenges directly arose from the act, but it underscored the role of domestic politics in international negotiations, with AIPAC's advocacy contributing to its bipartisan support.