URGENT ACTION

Take the Iranian Nuclear Option Off the Table

Posted April 20, 2006
C

A recent article in the New Yorker revealed that “The Bush Administration, while publicly advocating diplomacy in order to stop Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapon, has increased clandestine activities inside Iran and intensified planning for a possible major air attack,” including the use of nuclear weapons against suspected underground nuclear sites.

Yet, as the New York Times recently reported, analysts say Iran is years away from producing nuclear weapons. At this critical juncture, real and meaningful diplomacy is essential. The US government estimates that Iran is five to ten years away from developing a nuclear weapon. There is clearly time for diplomacy.

Ask your senator and representative to urge the Bush Administration to negotiate directly with Iran, cool the rhetoric, and take the nuclear option off the table.

President Bush immediately dismissed reports of US plans for a military attack against Tehran as "wild speculation" and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld likewise said that he would not engage in "fantasy land" speculation about a possible attack on Iran. Yet they would not rule out using nuclear weapons against Iran. In fact, Vice President Cheney has repeatedly made this point clear, stating "The United States is keeping all options on the table in addressing the irresponsible conduct of the regime.”

There is reason for concern considering that the Bush Administration has ratcheted up its rhetoric aimed at Iran in recent weeks. Vice President Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld have all issued strongly worded statements. Cheney has stated that “The Iranian regime needs to know that if it stays on its present course, the international community is prepared to impose meaningful consequences” and Rice has similarly commented that "We can't let this continue."

While the Administration is notorious for ignoring outside pleas to change its misguided policies, Congress can place limits on the Administration. Please contact your senator and representative and ask them to urge the Bush Administration to negotiate directly with Iran, cool the rhetoric, and take the nuclear option off the table.

Several senators have come out publicly against using nuclear weapons and several more have urged direct talks with Iran. Criticizing the “shoot from the hip, cowboy diplomacy” of the Bush Administration, Senator Kerry stated, “for us to think about exploding tactical nuclear weapons in some way is the height of irresponsibility. It would be destructive to any nonproliferation efforts, and the military assessment is it won’t work.” Senator Feinstein goes further, noting “This would be a disastrous tragedy. First use of nuclear weapons by the United States should be unthinkable.”

Please contact your senator and representative and ask them to urge the Bush Administration to negotiate directly with Iran, cool the rhetoric, and take the nuclear option off the table.

Courtesy of Council for a Livable World