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Graham Resolution Ruling Out 'Containment' Strategy of Nuclear-Capable Iran Set for Late-Night Vote

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made the following statement after the Senate debated his resolution ruling out a strategy of containment for a nuclear-capable Iran.  The bipartisan resolution, which has 84 Senate co-sponsors, is expected to pass the Senate late tonight.

“I’m very pleased with the overwhelming bipartisan support for my resolution rejecting the policy of containing a nuclear-capable Iran,” said Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.  “If Iran is ever allowed to obtain nuclear weapons capability, containment will be almost impossible.

“My biggest fear is the radical Iranian regime, led by Ahmadinejad, would share nuclear technology with terrorist organizations,” said Graham.  “We would be under serious threat of attack and close allies like Israel would never know a minute’s peace.  In addition, Sunni Arab states in the region would almost certainly seek a nuclear capability of their own to counter Iran.”

Graham noted that President Obama and Governor Romney both reject the policy of containing a nuclear-armed Iran.

The Graham resolution:

• Strongly rejects any policy that fails to prevent the Iranian government from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability and would settle for future efforts to “contain” a nuclear weapons capable Iran.

• Urges President Obama to reaffirm the unacceptability of an Iran with nuclear-weapons capability and oppose any policy that would rely on containment as an option in response to the Iranian nuclear threat.

• Urges continued and increasing economic and diplomatic pressure on Iran until they agree to 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 their nuclear activities including implementation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Additional Protocol, and the verified end of their ballistic missile programs.

“Sanctions and diplomacy are two ways to stop Iran, and I am hopeful that they work,” Graham continued. “However, the current sanctions are affecting Iran’s economy but not changing their behavior regarding their nuclear ambitions.

“Time is running out and tonight’s vote will be a strong statement by the United States Senate that we will not allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons capability,” concluded Graham.  “I cannot think of a more appropriate time for the Senate to make such an important statement.”

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