"Opponents of the proposed nuclear deal with Iran got some star-studded support on Monday as the longtime deputy director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) weighed in against the controversial agreement.
The retired commander of the USS Cole, which was attacked by terrorists in Yemen in 2000, also came out against the deal.
Speaking to a packed room of reporters at the National Press Club, both retired U.S. Navy Commander Kirk Lippold and Dr. Olli Heinonen, formerly the No. 2 official at the agency that will oversee inspections of Iran's nuclear capabilities, underscored their criticisms of the deal that Congress must vote on within 60 calendar days of the agreement.
Heinonen, deputy director of the IAEA for 27 years, said he was bothered by the '24-day delay in the agreement' - the time allotted in the agreement before IAEA inspectors are permitted to begin their work in Iran.
He contrasted the agreement that Congress will soon address to others that open up countries to nuclear inspection by the IAEA 'in 24 hours.'
'This is a little weak,' said Heinonen.
"This is a fundamentally flawed agreement," agreed Lippold...The much-decorated retired naval officer also warned that the agreement with Iran did not cover 'ballistic missile technology' and that this was 'dropped by the administration without explanation. This only benefits Iran and no one else.'..."