WASHINGTON, DC – A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators has reintroduced the Graham-Lieberman-Casey resolution that will put the Senate on record as ruling out a strategy of containment for a nuclear-armed Iran. The original resolution, S.Res.380, was introduced in February 2012 and has been cosponsored by a bipartisan supermajority of 78 Senators. The new Senate Joint Resolution has been updated to reflect statements made by President Obama since the original resolution was put forward, ruling out containment.
Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Joe Lieberman (I-Connecticut) were joined by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), Kelly Ayotte (R-New Hampshire) and John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), in introducing the resolution in support of a united message that Iran cannot obtain a nuclear-weapons capability.
“Iran’s intent to develop and possess a nuclear weapons capability presents a grave threat to the United States and our allies in the Middle East and Europe,” said Senator Casey. “To date, Iran has refused to negotiate in good faith on its nuclear program, or to provide any guarantees that it will uphold its international obligations under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. While I am hopeful that the negotiations in Baghdad will yield positive results, we must be crystal clear about our expectations – Iran must suspend its uranium enrichment program and allow for a comprehensive program of international inspection and verification. This important bipartisan Senate resolution helps to send that message.”
The resolution:
- Rejects any policy that fails to prevent the Iranian government from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability and instead relies on efforts to contain a nuclear weapons capable Iran;
- Reaffirms that the United States has a vital national interest in preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability;
- Urges continued and increasing economic and diplomatic pressure on the Iranian government until it agrees to and implements the full and sustained suspension of all uranium enrichment-related and reprocessing activities; complete cooperation with the
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on all outstanding questions related to Iranian nuclear activities; and a permanent agreement that verifiably assures that Iran’s nuclear program is entirely peaceful.
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