VIENNA, Austria — The nuclear deal struck by Iran and six world powers led by the United States has drawn criticism from evangelicals for its potential ill effects on Israel and persecuted Christians in the Persian nation.
The deal, which was announced July 14 in Vienna following 20 months of negotiations, apparently does not include the release of American pastor Saeed Abedini from an Iranian prison.
Southern Baptist Convention President Ronnie Floyd said, “While still learning more about this deal made with Iran, I stand appalled that we would make any kind of deal that would not demand the immediate release of the four Americans held hostage, including Pastor Saeed Abedini.”
According to The New York Times, the deal requires Iran to maintain a 98-percent-reduced stockpile of low enriched uranium for the next 15 years, reduce by two-thirds the number of centrifuges spinning at the nation’s primary enrichment center and continue to limit its acquisition of conventional weapons among other provisions. In exchange the U.S. will lift oil and financial sanctions on Iran.
(BP)
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