A historic deal has been reached with Iran over its nuclear program. The Obama administration has succeeded in convincing the Islamic Republic to considerably reduce its nuclear activities to a point that makes it impossible to produce a nuclear weapon. The agreement, which lifts economic sanctions on Iran, is sensible. 

It is a good deal.

The agreement achieves one of the key goals of U.S. policy in the Middle East, without compromising America’s standing in the world. 

In a press conference on Wednesday, the president said the alternative to the agreement would be violence.

“Without a deal,” Obama said, “there would be no limits to Iran’s nuclear program and Iran could move closer to a nuclear bomb … Without a deal, we risk even more war in the Middle East.”

The American people are weary of war and  bloodshed. 

We have tried war in the region and that has only brought chaos and destruction to the Middle East and diminished our respect in the world. The rise of ISIS in Iraq is a telling example of what happens when we choose bombs over diplomacy.

It is time to give peace a chance.

The sanctions we are giving up in exchange for the Iranian concessions are not substantial to American interests. The sanctions were unfair and did not benefit the United States. 

Targeting the Iranian economy mostly affected civilians. The embargo caused unemployment, poverty and inflation in Iranian society, without affecting the structure of the regime. 

The financial restrictions on Iran extended to trades that are civilian by nature, including essential medicines. Over the past 25 years, there have been more than 200 accidents involving Iranian airplanes, mostly because of sanctions that prohibit the sale of aircraft parts to the Islamic Republic. 

Such penalties only strengthen the hardliners in Iran and contribute to global hostility and animosity. Extremist American politicians who refute the deal have more in common with their Iranian counterparts than they think.

Washington politicians know that sanctions hurt the Iranian people more than they hurt the Iranian government. 

“Critics [of the sanctions] argued that these measures will hurt the Iranian people,” Democratic Rep. Brad Sherman of California wrote in 2010. “Quite frankly, we need to do just that.”

Lifting the sanctions will not hinder U.S. policy in the region. Politicians who incite against Iran constantly reiterate that Iranian leaders refer to the United States as the “great Satan.” Perhaps if we stop choking the Iranian economy and society, that perception will change.

It is bewildering that some Democrats are standing against the deal. Republicans have shown utter disregard for the nation’s interests, especially if it meant hampering Obama’s presidency. As a matter of fact, conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh wished that Obama would fail shortly after the start of his first term.

But for Democrats to try to obstruct the historic diplomatic legacy of a president from their own party is absurd. 

Some politicians have put their political ambitions above the interests of our country and the ideals of their own party. Appeasing Israel and special interest groups that get their agenda from Tel Aviv has been a driving force behind Democrats’ skepticism of the deal. For example, Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (D-Southfield) mentioned Israel twice in a brief statement, in which she said she will carefully review the agreement.

No Democrat or Republican opposing the agreement in the name of Israel has ever uttered a word about Israel’s own nuclear arsenal. If nuclear weapons in the Middle East are a threat to global security, then nobody should have them. 

We wish for a nuclear-free Middle East and eventually a nuclear-free world.

We urge our members of Congress to vote yes on the deal to preserve peace and security in the Middle East and the world. 

Our community members should also be involved in the process. If you want Congress to stand with the agreement, let your representatives in Washington know.

Below are the contact info for some members of Congress who represent Michigan:

Rep. Brenda Lawrence: 248-356-2052.

Rep. Debbie Dingell: 313-278-2936.

Sen. Gary Peters: 517-377-1508.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow: 202-224-4822.