Comment on Udall, Heinrich back Iran accord despite side deal

WASHINGTON – New Mexico’s U.S. senators say they still support a pending nuclear deal with Iran, despite new details about a side deal that gives Iran more influence over the nuclear inspection process than previously known. An Associated Press story published Aug. 19 reported that a secret agreement involving the International Atomic Energy Agency would allow Iran to use its own inspectors to investigate a site it has been accused of using to develop nuclear arms at least a decade ago. The AP has since clarified its reporting to note that the side deal relates to attempts to verify past military activity at the Parchin site, long suspected of hosting nuclear arms work, not the nuclear activity going forward that is the thrust of the overall agreement.