Bobby Jindal denounces Iran nuclear deal

Washington, July 15: Louisiana's Indian-American governor Bobby Jindal has joined other 2016 Republican presidential contenders in decrying the historic nuclear deal with Iran saying it doesn't go far enough.

Jindal, who joined his rivals in an interview with PBS, gave three reasons for his opposition.

First, Iran will be allowed to hold onto "thousands of centrifuges," which Jindal said will allow the country to maintain uranium enrichment capacity.

Second, Iranian leaders aren't going to be required to sever ties with militant anti-Israel groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, he said.

Third, inspectors won't be allowed free rein to inspect nuclear sites, even though Jindal said President Barack Obama "said we will get anywhere, anytime inspections."

"I worry under this president's deal we could end up with a nuclear arms race in the Middle East," Jindal said.

Jindal hoped that Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary "Clinton, who's been the architect of this president's foreign policy will come out and oppose this deal and say it is time for America to stand with Israel."

"There is still time for America to come out and say we will not allow Iran to become a nuclear power."

Jindal went on to say that if he is elected president, he would impose tougher sanctions on Iran.

Asked about his insistence on people to stop using "hyphenated" terms such as Indian-Americans, Jindal returned to familiar rhetoric about how he thinks immigrants should embrace US values and learn English.

"The great thing about America is, we're a wonderful melting pot," he said. "Folks can be proud of their heritage. But I think the hyphenations, the divisions are keeping us apart," he said.

"I think it's common sense to say, if you want to come here, you should want to be an American. Otherwise, why are you coming here?

"We can still embrace our Italian heritage or our old country heritages, but we should be Americans. Stop the hyphenated Americans," Jindal said.

Meanwhile, according to a report in the Washington Examiner, Jindal raised nearly $579,000 in his first week as a presidential candidate, but has another $8.6 million in his corner thanks to supportive outside groups.

Believe Again, the super PAC supporting Jindal's presidential bid, raised $3.7 million since launching in January. An additional almost $4 million was raised by America Next, a nonprofit backing Jindal, with another $1 million flowing to American Future Project.

Jindal, 44, is lagging in the polls, registering at 1.4 percent nationally among Republican primary voters, according to the RealClearPolitics average, placing him far out of contention to qualify for the first televised debate, set for Aug 6 in Cleveland.

IANS