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Barack Obama on Iran
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The Problem: Iran has sought nuclear weapons, supports militias inside Iraq and terror across the region, and its leaders threaten Israel and deny the Holocaust. But Obama and Biden believe that we have not exhausted our non-military options in confronting this threat; in many ways, we have yet to try them. That's why Obama stood up to the Bush administration's warnings of war, just like he stood up to the war in Iraq. Opposed Bush-Cheney Saber Rattling: Obama and Biden opposed the Kyl-Lieberman amendment, which says we should use our military presence in Iraq to counter the threat from Iran. Obama and Biden believe that it was reckless for Congress to give George Bush any justification to extend the Iraq War or to attack Iran. Obama also introduced a resolution in the Senate declaring that no act of Congress – including Kyl-Lieberman – gives the Bush administration authorization to attack Iran. Diplomacy: Obama supports tough, direct presidential diplomacy with Iran without preconditions. Now is the time to pressure Iran directly to change their troubling behavior. Obama and Biden would offer the Iranian regime a choice. If Iran abandons its nuclear program and support for terrorism, we will offer incentives like membership in the World Trade Organization, economic investments, and a move toward normal diplomatic relations. If Iran continues its troubling behavior, we will step up our economic pressure and political isolation. Seeking this kind of comprehensive settlement with Iran is our best way to make progress. • Obama would engage in direct talks with Tehran including offering some economic incentives if Iran stopped operations in Iraq and cooperated on nuclear issues. • He has refused to say if he would consider military action if Iran were not abandon its nuclear weapons program. • Obama said he continued to favor an incentive package that is aimed at getting Iran to drop its nuclear ambitions. • He proposed a resolution in the Senate to reverse designation of Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization. • Obama accused McCain and President Bush of what he called dishonest and divisive attacks over his willingness to talk to Iran. Without mentioning Obama's name, President Bush compared those who would negotiate with terrorists and radicals, to the appeasers of Nazi Germany prior to the Second World War. • In July 2008, Iran test-fired nine long- and medium-range missiles that Iranian officials said were aimed at showing the country’s ability to counter Israeli or American attacks. Obama responded, “I would want to talk to the national security team to find out whether this indicates any new capabilities on Iran’s part. At this point, the reports aren’t clear. It’s still early, but I think what this underscores is the need for us to create a kind of policy that is putting the burden on Iran to change behavior. And, frankly, we just have not been able to do that over the last several years, partly because we’re not engaged in direct diplomacy.” He also stated that Iran is a ‘grave threat’ and that we should gather our allies together in a serious effort to apply sanctions in Iran. He noted that American exports to Iran have increased during the Bush years. |
