WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate tonight passed the Graham-Lieberman-Casey resolution that puts the Senate on record as ruling out a strategy of containment for a nuclear-armed Iran.
“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, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs. “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. Passage of this resolution makes crystal clear our expectations – Iran must suspend its uranium enrichment program and allow for a comprehensive program of international inspection and verification. Moreover, this resolution reiterates the administration’s policy that containment of a nuclear-armed Iran is not an option. ”
Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) were joined by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and John Hoeven (R-ND), in introducing the resolution in support of a united message that Iran cannot obtain a nuclear-weapons capability.
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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