Seventy years ago, on Aug. 6, 1945, an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.

The U.S. bomber departed from Tinian – a tiny, emerald Northern Marianas island. Today, Tinian is a magnet for scuba divers seeking spectacular sea life.

Other pilgrims visit Hiroshima and its Japan Peace Museum. They bear witness to the devastating, catastrophic destruction that nuclear weapons cause – the moment, 8:15 a.m., when a fireball appeared less than a second after the explosion.

They viscerally grasp the ongoing, extreme threat that nuclear weapons pose. Nuclear weapons are a liability, not an asset. Human beings understand that it is unrealistic to think that countries can indefinitely threaten one another with nuclear weapons without an eventual disaster.

That is why both reducing the overall number of nuclear weapons in the world and controlling nuclear proliferation strengthens American security.

The nonproliferation treaty has been very successful at limiting the spread of nuclear weapons: The number of weapons has successfully been reduced in the world with no negative consequence.

Quite recently, a major Iran nuclear deal – the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action – was agreed upon between Iran and France, Germany, the U.K., China, the U.S. and Russia.

Experts say the terms provide the most reasonable and durable means to ensure that Iran does not produce a nuclear weapon. In exchange, the EU, the U.S. and the U.N. will provide Iran with economic relief.

The provisions and timeframe have been minutely worked out and submitted for congressional review. During this congressional August recess, each of us in Maine can attend town hall meetings with members of Congress to solicit support for the Iran nuclear deal.

Call the Capitol switchboard at 202-225-3121. Call lawmakers’ local offices. Be part of the path away from nuclear weapons. Protect that treasured island of place that is Maine.

Martha Spiess

member, PeaceWorks Maine

Freeport