NO WAR ON IRAN
The Bush administration today took another step to undermine face-to-face diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran and effectively increase the likelihood of war.
By imposing sweeping new sanctions against more than half of the current members of the Iranian cabinet and nearly 30 percent of the parliament, the administration effectively blocked anyone in the U.S. from having contact with much of the political leadership in Iran. The sanctions could also limit U.S. contact with people in other countries who deal with these Iranian leaders. The sanctions apply to people who are or have been members of an elite part of the Iranian military.
The U.S. campaign to address disputes over Iran’s nuclear program through threats and sanctions has produced no results and, arguably, has made things worse. Instead of learning from these failures, the U.S. is continuing with this policy. The administration may intend nothing more than increased pressure on Iraq, but we at FCNL are increasingly worried that the confrontation between U.S. and Iran could get out of control and erupt into deadly violence.
Many current and former U.S. political and military leaders, the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, and FCNL agree that diplomatic negotiations, not more threats, are necessary to decrease the chances of a war between the U.S. and Iran. Yet the Bush administration is moving in the opposite direction. The new sanctions are part of an escalating pattern of confrontation between the U.S. and Iran. Three days ago, Vice President Dick Cheney threatened Iran with “serious consequences” for defying the U.S. Last week, President Bush warned that the confrontation could lead to “World War III.”
Iran is making progress in accounting for past uranium enrichment programs, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, which sends inspectors every month to review Iran’s nuclear program. Israeli and U.S. intelligence agencies say that, even if Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, the country is years away from having the capacity to build them. Yet the Bush administration, with support from Congress, is ratcheting up a confrontation that could lead to war.
Take Action
Urge your representative to cosponsor legislation introduced by Representative Mark Udall (CO) and cosponsored by 16 other members of Congress (H.R. 3119) that would prohibit the use of any funds appropriated by Congress for military action against Iran.
Background
The Anatomy of the U.S.-Iran Dispute: Why War Is Not the Answer
Read a report on a religious leaders meeting with the Iranian president
By imposing sweeping new sanctions against more than half of the current members of the Iranian cabinet and nearly 30 percent of the parliament, the administration effectively blocked anyone in the U.S. from having contact with much of the political leadership in Iran. The sanctions could also limit U.S. contact with people in other countries who deal with these Iranian leaders. The sanctions apply to people who are or have been members of an elite part of the Iranian military.
The U.S. campaign to address disputes over Iran’s nuclear program through threats and sanctions has produced no results and, arguably, has made things worse. Instead of learning from these failures, the U.S. is continuing with this policy. The administration may intend nothing more than increased pressure on Iraq, but we at FCNL are increasingly worried that the confrontation between U.S. and Iran could get out of control and erupt into deadly violence.
Many current and former U.S. political and military leaders, the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, and FCNL agree that diplomatic negotiations, not more threats, are necessary to decrease the chances of a war between the U.S. and Iran. Yet the Bush administration is moving in the opposite direction. The new sanctions are part of an escalating pattern of confrontation between the U.S. and Iran. Three days ago, Vice President Dick Cheney threatened Iran with “serious consequences” for defying the U.S. Last week, President Bush warned that the confrontation could lead to “World War III.”
Iran is making progress in accounting for past uranium enrichment programs, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, which sends inspectors every month to review Iran’s nuclear program. Israeli and U.S. intelligence agencies say that, even if Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, the country is years away from having the capacity to build them. Yet the Bush administration, with support from Congress, is ratcheting up a confrontation that could lead to war.
Take Action
Urge your representative to cosponsor legislation introduced by Representative Mark Udall (CO) and cosponsored by 16 other members of Congress (H.R. 3119) that would prohibit the use of any funds appropriated by Congress for military action against Iran.
Background
The Anatomy of the U.S.-Iran Dispute: Why War Is Not the Answer
Read a report on a religious leaders meeting with the Iranian president