Today, the leadership of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization, issued the following statement in response to the extension reached in Vienna between the “P5+1” and the Iranian regime:

“The Orthodox Union is concerned about the extension given to the negotiations process between the P5+1 and Iran regarding Iran’s nuclear weapons capability, but recognizes that an extension is preferable to signing a bad deal that would endanger Israel and the Middle East. We trust that this extension will enable the negotiators to obtain an agreement that will preclude —now and forever—Iranian nuclear weapons capability.

The Iranian leadership regularly calls for the destruction of Israel—even posting a plan titled ‘9 key questions about the elimination of Israel’ on social media just two weeks ago—and aggressively pursues nuclear weapons technology in violation of many UN Security Council resolutions (while at the same time denying that very pursuit).

While we note the Obama Administration’s extensive efforts to find a diplomatic solution and identify a deal that truly dismantles and reverses Iran’s nuclear weapons capability, we fear that an extension through June simply affords Iran an opportunity to continue on its path toward nuclear weapons capability while simultaneously participating in the nuclear talks. The Iranian regime cannot be permitted to continue developing its nuclear weapons technology. The sanctions, which brought the Iranians into negotiations in the first place, must be maintained and increased in order to preserve any possibility of a negotiated solution. The Orthodox Union is prepared to work with our allies in Congress in support of such efforts.”