Iran
Iran is not known to possess weapons of mass destruction, and has signed treaties repudiating possession of them, including the Biological Weapons Convention, the Chemical Weapons Convention, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Several countries, including the U.S., have accused Iran of a clandestine intention to develop nuclear weapons. On 31 July 2006, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution demanding Iran suspend its nuclear activities. On December 23, 2006, the UN Security Council approved imposing sanctions against Iran and tightened these sanctions on March 24, 2007. Iran's representative to the UN argued that the sanctions were not aimed at a solution, but at compelling Iran to abandon its rights under the NPT to peaceful nuclear technology. The Non-Aligned Movement has called on both sides to work through the IAEA for a solution. The United States argues that Iran has the intention of diverting a civilian nuclear energy program to the manufacture of weapons. Experts however point out that while possession of the technology "contributes to the latency of non-nuclear weapon states in their potential to acquire nuclear weapons" but that such latency is not necessarily evidence of intent to proceed toward the acquisition of nuclear weapons, since "intent is in the eye of the beholder." The U.S. believes Iran sponsors international terrorism, which includes giving support and weapons to the Iraqi insurgency. Iran has denied that it supports the Iraqi insurgency, and claims that it is the presence of US troops that aggravates violence. Also, Iran's support of Hamas and Islamic Jihad leads to US fears that Iranian nuclear weapons could find their way into the hands of Islamic militants The U.S. is additionally concerned that Iran (along with 34 other nations) does not formally recognise Israel's right to exist, and some Iranian politicians have openly called for the destruction of Israel, including all supreme leaders since the 1979 Islamic Revolution of Iran, and including Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Also, during the 2006 Lebanon-Israeli conflict, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad openly calls Israel a target if Syria was attacked, and will immediately retaliate on Israel first if US attacked Iran (and not Israel). Further, Iran has been repeatedly threatened with a nuclear first strike by the United States. The U.S. Nuclear Posture Review made public in 2002 specifically envisioned the use of nuclear weapons on a first strike basis, even against non-nuclear armed states.
Joseph Biden on Iran
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, use international sanctions, use direct engagement |
| Description: | As chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Biden has been a prominent voice calling for "hard-headed diplomacy" with Iran. Biden says he supports direct engagement with the country. He also has called for the implementation of "coordinated international sanctions" on Iran, adding "we should complement this pressure by presenting a detailed, positive vision for U.S.-Iran relations if Iran does the right thing." |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Opening Statement in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing on Iran (8/13/07)
Biden's statements about Iran to the Senate. |
| 2. |
Sen. Biden Issues Statement on Iran's Release of British Hostages (8/13/07)
"Now we need to focus on the other serious issues with Iran, including their nuclear program and Iraq. Tensions with Iran contribute to a regional tinderbox that could ignite with one wrong move. The only thing worse than a poorly planned, intentional war is an unplanned, unintentional war. We have to put a premium on hard-headed diplomacy with Iran, which is the best way to achieve our objectives. Some of Iran's leaders may choose confrontation over cooperation. The Iranian people must know that we are not the ones standing in the way of peaceful co-existence." |
Sam Brownback on Iran
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Support a transition to democracy from within Iran |
| Description: | Brownback has said that he is against opening diplomatic ties with Iran. Brownback was the sole sponsor in the Senate of the Iran Human Rights Act of 2006, which sought to "hold the current regime in Iran accountable for its human rights record and to support a transition to democracy in Iran." That bill has not been passed. In March 2007, Brownback cosponsored with Dodd the Iran Counter-Proliferation Act. Brownback has said that he supports an increase in funding for independent human rights groups in Iran, and promotes regime change "from within." |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Interview With Sam Brownback (8/13/07)
I'm in favor of the neighbor's conference. I am not in favor of diplomatic relations with either of these countries, and particularly you're going to be rewarding the Iranians at the very time that we're trying to put pressure on them to stop the nuclear weapons development, to stop the terrorism that they're doing. But I think we should have the neighbor's conference, which is hosted by Iraq. We'll see if they're going to participate (Editor's note: Iran officially agreed to attend the conference the next day.) This is the same sort of thing we did prior to going into Afghanistan. We talked with Iran about that prior to going in. Remember, Iraq is more three groups held together by exterior forces than it has so much of a country allegiance. The Kurds would rather be separate, but they're held in there by the Turks. The Sunnis would probably rather be separate - unless they could run the whole country - but they're held in there by the Gulf States. We don't know if the Iranians are trying to get the Shia to split off or take over the whole country. So the exterior forces around Iraq are significant and important on what happens for the future of Iraq. |
| 2. |
Brownback Describes Iranian Threat, Outlines Plan (8/13/07)
I call for $100 million to support independent human rights groups inside Iran which maintain internationally recognized human rights standards." We need a regional human rights dialogue with Iran that is modeled on the Helsinki process and engages countries in the region. The Helsinki process is one of the tools that brought human rights to the Soviet Empire." We must push aggressively with international organizations. We have worked well with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Now let's ensure we do the same at the United Nations and at the World Bank. " |
Hillary Clinton on Iran
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Stop Iran's nuclear program, open up to diplomacy, use threats of military force |
| Description: | Sen. Clinton has said that if elected, she would "immediately open a diplomatic track" with Iran. Clinton has said that "no option can be taken off the table" with regard to U.S. policy toward Iran. "We need to use every tool at our disposal, including diplomatic and economic in addition to the threat and use of military force," she said at a February 2007 dinner of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
'Countdown with Keith Olbermann' for Jan. 23 (8/13/07)
A transcript of a interview with Hillary |
| 2. |
Hillary Clinton calls Iran a threat to U.S., Israel (8/13/07)
Calling Iran a danger to the U.S. and one of Israel's greatest threats, U.S. senator and presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton said "no option can be taken off the table" when dealing with that nation. "U.S. policy must be clear and unequivocal: We cannot, we should not, we must not permit Iran to build or acquire nuclear weapons," the Democrat told a crowd of Israel supporters. "In dealing with this threat ... no option can be taken off the table." |
Stephen Colbert on Iran
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Back up diplomacy with bombing or a ground war |
| Description: |
While talking to General Wesley Clark, Stephen Colbert poses tough policy questions: "Do you think we should back up our diplomacy with bombing, or a ground war? We have two options." "We know military action changes things and we're a military power. If we've got a military hammer, why isn't everything a war nail?" |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Interview with Wesley Clark (10/18/07)
While talking to General Wesley Clark, Colbert raises powerful questions indicating his positions on Iran. |
John Cox on Iran
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Form a revolution among the people of Iran |
| Description: | John Cox claims that there are a lot of people in Iran that want to rise up and overthrow the Iranian government. He goes on to state that these people want economic prosperity and are fed up with the current oppressive government of Iran. Cox believes we should demonstrate prosperity by making Iraq prosperous and Iran will follow. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
North Korea and Iran (9/18/07)
How he feels about what to do in Iran |
Christopher Dodd on Iran
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Don't engage with Iran, stop their nuclear program with sanctions, stop importing to Iran, classify Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist group. |
| Description: | Dodd has said that the United States should not engage with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. In a 2007 MoveOn.org Town Hall Meeting, Dodd said he would support military action against Iran without congressional approval "under extreme circumstances," though he thinks the president should seek that approval "after the emergency." In March 2007, Dodd cosponsored the Iran Counter-Proliferation Act, which would impose tighter multilateral sanctions on Iran in response to its nuclear activities, expand the ban Iranian exports to the U.S. and further limits food exports from the U.S. to Iran, freeze assets of Iranian officials, and support categorizing the Iranian Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist group. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Virtual Town Hall Meeting on Iraq: Transcript (8/13/07)
Dodd talks about how we shouldn't move troops to Iran. |
| 2. |
Sen. Joe Biden Calls Iranian Leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad 'Madman' (8/13/07)
An article about Biden but talks about Dodd's position on Iran. |
John Edwards on Iran
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Create nonaggression pact with Iran if it gives up nuclear plans; has not ruled out military force as an option |
| Description: | Edwards says that he would support the creation of a "nonaggression pact" with Iran, if Iran would agree to give up its nuclear plans. To accomplish this, Edwards backs opening direct negotiations with Iran. At the same time, he has not ruled out military force as an option for U.S. policymakers. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Edwards: Treaty With Iran Possible (8/13/07)
Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards told a group of New Hampshire voters Saturday that he would consider pursuing a nonaggression pact between the United States and Iran. |
Newt Gingrich on Iran
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Invade Iran while supporting the rebellion of its people to bring about regime change |
| Description: |
Gingrich's plan for Iran is.... 1. Recognize the reality of the threat. He said the United States must understand thoroughly who the current Iranian dictatorship is -- a dictatorship that has been at war with the us since 1979. Ahmadinejad, he recalls, has said openly and publicly that Iran must "defeat the Anglo-Saxons and eliminate Israel from the face of the Earth." 2. Come to the aid of the oppressed Iranian people the majority of who are pro-American, by starting "with all-out help to the forces of independence in the country," given covertly. He cited such groups as student and trade union organizations, suggesting that we make every effort to supply them with the resources needed to bring about regime change while making it clear that we are going to do everything in our power to make that a reality. And, he adds, we should tell the Europeans that there is no imaginable diplomatic solution that can solve the Iranian problem. 3. Put our money where our mouth is. "I would actively right now be funneling money into Iran," firstly by actively supporting a Radio Free Iran, helping the trade unionists in the oil fields to have money for strike funds. And if there is no choice other than to invade Iran we need to avoid the mistake we made in Iraq by making sure that if we have to invade "we want to make sure there is a network of Iranians prepared to run their own country." |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Gingrich: Iran's nuclear threat must be addressed (10/4/07)
"Just to take out the (nuclear) facilities is a loser game. When they develop atomic weapons, they will sell them to somebody, and that will be dangerous," Gingrich said. |
| 2. |
Gingrich on Iran:'Replace the Regime' (10/4/07)
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a potential 2008 Republican presidential candidate, says Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is as great a threat today as German dictator Adolf Hitler was in 1935, and the United States should not wait to help bring about a regime change in Iran. |
| 3. |
Newt Gingrich: U.S. Must Stop Iran (10/4/07)
Facing a potential nuclear holocaust at the hands of Iran, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich says the United States must do everything in its power to bring about regime change there, even if it means invading that nation. |
Rudolph Giuliani on Iran
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Use diplomacy, but military engagement is better than Iran with nuclear weapons |
| Description: | Giuliani has said the United States should proceed diplomatically with Iran, but that "we will use a military option if we have to." At the first Republican presidential debate, Giuliani said a military strike would be "very dangerous" but nuclear arms in the control of "an irrational person" like President Ahmadinejad was more dangerous. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Republican Debate Transcript, Simi Valley California, May 3, 2007 (8/6/07)
"It really depends on what our intelligence says. I mean, the reality is, the use of military force against Iran would be very dangerous. It would be very provocative. The only thing worse would be Iran being a nuclear power. It's the worst nightmare of the Cold War; isn't it? The nuclear weapons in the hands of an irrational person, an irrational force. Ahmadinejad is clearly irrational. He has to understand it's not an option; he cannot have nuclear weapons. And he has to look at an American president and he has to see Ronald Reagan. Remember, they looked in Ronald Reagan's eyes, and in two minutes, they released the hostages." |
| 2. |
Rudy Giuliani Talks with Sean Hannity (8/13/07)
"I think the president has made the points that has to be made that it's unacceptable, that it's -- what they're doing with displaying people and the kind of thing Iran is doing, unfortunately, is reminding us of, you know, the late 1970s. I think Tony Blair has to take a very, very strong position. I think we have to support him in that. And I think, I guess maybe if I could summarize it. I think Ahmadinejad has to see -- has to see Ronald Reagan, because as soon as they saw Ronald Reagan putting his hand on the Bible they let the hostages go." - Giuliani |
| 3. |
Republican Debate Transcript, South Carolina (8/13/07)
A debate which one of the topics is Iran. |
Mike Gravel on Iran
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Oppose military confrontation |
| Description: | According to his campaign website, Gravel "firmly opposes a military confrontation with Iran." In a presidential debate in April 2007, he said: "When you have mainline candidates that turn around and say that there's nothing off the table with respect to Iran, that's code for using nukes, nuclear devices - [if] I'm president of the United States, there will be no preemptive wars with nuclear devices." |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
The Issues: Iran (8/13/07)
War with Iran threatens global stability. |
Chuck Hagel on Iran
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Use political settlement not military |
| Description: | "Iran is a regional power; it has major influence in Iraq and throughout the Gulf region. Its support of terrorist organizations and the threat it poses to Israel is all the more reason that the U.S. must engage Iran. Any lasting solution to Iran's nuclear weapons program will also require the United States' direct discussions with Iran. The United States is capable of engaging Iran in direct dialogue without sacrificing any of its interests or objectives." - Hagel |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Hagel: Military Strike on Iran is 'Not a Viable, Feasible, Responsible Option' (8/15/07)
Hagel: Military Strike on Iran is 'Not a Viable, Feasible, Responsible Option' |
Mike Huckabee on Iran
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Engage in diplomatic talks and export democracy to Iran |
| Description: | Huckabee supports engaging Iran in diplomatic talks. He feels like we have a lot of options before we need to resort to using a military force. He feels like if we supported democracy it would work because the Iranian people have wanted a democracy for a long time. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
More Questions with Mike Huckabee (10/4/07)
Statement on Iran: The statements of Iran's leader are troubling. But we do need to engage in ongoing discussions. Because it is never wrong to have conversations. It's only wrong to have negotiations with those who are unreasonable. We should see Iran as a nation who has a leader with which we don't agree, but respect that their are millions of people within Iran who do not share that same view towards the United States, as does its leader. |
| 2. |
Mike Huckabee's Speech on Foreign Policy (10/4/07)
Huckabee speaks about foreign policy including what is going on in Iran. |
Duncan Hunter on Iran
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Believes Iran is supporting Iraqi insurgents against U.S. forces; use sanctions to stop nuclear program |
| Description: | Representative Duncan Hunter believes Iran is helping to kill U.S. troops in Iraq. He also supports stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons by using strong economic sanctions. He cosponsored the Iran Counter-Proliferation Act, which strengthens the sanctions implemented by the 1996 Iran and Libya Sanctions Act. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Republican Debate Transcript, Simi Valley California, May 3, 2007 (8/6/07)
"You know, right now, right now, Iran is moving equipment into Iraq that is being used to kill Americans. Iran has crossed the line, and the United States has absolute license at this point to take whatever actions are necessary to stop those deadly instruments from being moved across the line, being used in explosives, roadside bombs, inside Iraq. And lastly, you know, we don't -- we should not get to the edge of the cliff on this enrichment of uranium. And plutonium to be used for a nuclear weapon in Iran -- the United States needs to move very quickly..." |
| 2. |
Hunter Calls for Economic Sanctions Against Iran (8/13/07)
U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) today called for strong economic sanctions to be levied against Iran in order to deter its nuclear enrichment program. The senior Republican on the House Armed Services Committee joined other senior House Republicans as sponsors of the Iran Counter-Proliferation Act of 2007 (H.R. 1400). |
Dennis Kucinich on Iran
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Use diplomatic relations and not military actions |
| Description: | Kucinich is in favor of opening diplomatic relations with Iran and says, "There's no reason for war." |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Kucinich: Bush's approach to Iran raises questions about impeachment (8/13/07)
Democratic presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich said President Bush may be setting himself up for impeachment by setting the stage for war with Iran. |
John McCain on Iran
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Believes Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism |
| Description: | At the republican debates on May 3, 2007 in Simi Valley, California, John McCain said " Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism. We all know that. Iran continues their efforts to build nuclear weapons. Iran is now exporting lethal IEDs and jihadists and suicide bombers into Iraq, killing American soldiers." He also supports stopping Iran from building a nuclear weapon. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Republican Debate Transcript, Simi Valley California, May 3, 2007 (8/6/07)
"Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism. We all know that. Iran continues their efforts to build nuclear weapons. Iran is now exporting lethal IEDs and jihadists and suicide bombers into Iraq, killing American soldiers." |
| 2. |
Face the Nation Transcript (8/13/07)
Military force is the last option |
Barack Obama on Iran
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Use sanctions and open dialogue to stop Iran's nuclear program; use of military force shouldn't be initiated nor should be ruled out |
| Description: | Obama has expressed support for "opening dialogue" with Iran, in part to ask for its assistance in "playing a more constructive role in Iraq." Obama said in a March 2007 speech before AIPAC that he supports "tough sanctions" on Iran to compel it to stop its uranium enrichment program. In the same speech, he said that he "does not believe that the use of military force towards Iran should be ruled out. Still, in an April 2007 presidential debate, Obama said, "I think it would be a profound mistake for us to initiate a war with Iran." |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Obama: Iran threatens all of us (8/13/07)
Sen. Barack Obama said Friday the use of military force should not be taken off the table when dealing with Iran, which he called "a threat to all of us." |
| 2. |
Virtual Town Hall Meeting on Iraq: Transcript (8/13/07)
Obama on Iran and how much of a threat it is. |
| 3. |
Barack Obama: Iran (10/23/07)
Barack Obama addresses Iran and the dangers of authorizing force. |
| 4. |
Remarks of Senator Barack Obama to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs (10/14/07)
"As starting points, the world must prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and work to eliminate North Korea%u2019s nuclear weapons program. If America does not lead, these two nations could trigger regional arms races that could accelerate nuclear proliferation on a global scale and create dangerous nuclear flashpoints. In pursuit of this goal, we must never take the military option off the table." - Obama |
Ron Paul on Iran
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Do not intervene |
| Description: | In a speech before the House in April 2007, Paul criticized what he sees as neoconservative efforts to drum up support for military action against Iran. Paul said that although the country "is hardly a perfect democracy, its system is far superior to most of our Arab allies about which we never complain." The Texas congressman warned that a war against Iran would be disastrous and dismissed the justifications for military action against Iran as "propaganda," saying that "Iran doesn't have a nuke and is nowhere close to getting one, according to the CIA." Instead, Paul advocates a policy of non-interventionism. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Iran: The Next Neocon Target (8/13/07)
Iran's history is being ignored, just as we ignored Iraq's history. This ignorance or deliberate misrepresentation of our recent relationship to Iraq and Iran is required to generate the fervor needed to attack once again a country that poses no threat to us. |
Bill Richardson on Iran
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Use sanctions; let Iran have nuclear energy but not nuclear weapons |
| Description: | Richardson supports engagement with Iran on the issue of nuclear proliferation. In a June 2007 speech, Richardson called for unconditional talks with Iran backed by "tough sanctions." To start negotiations, Richardson said the United States must acknowledge its errors in backing the Shah and supporting Saddam Hussein in the Iran-Iraq war, and in remaining silent when Hussein used chemical weapons in that war. In his speech, Richardson also said the U.S. must respect Iran's "legitimate right to peaceful nuclear energy" but must also stress to Iran that it will never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. At the Democratic National Committee event, Richardson said that he would send former Secretary of State James Baker to run talks with Iran's foreign ministry with the hope of developing a "broad agreement" that would allow Iran to develop "a civilian nuclear capacity, properly monitored by the international community." |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
After Iraq, Democrats next worry: Iran (8/13/07)
It was Iran, as well as Iraq, Darfur and other crisis locales, that caused Bill Richardson, the former UN envoy and now New Mexico governor, to tell the assembled Democrats, "Experience in foreign affairs has never been more important." |
| 2. |
Engaging Iran -- No Preconditions, No Illusions (8/13/07)
First, let me say that I am under no illusions that achieving similar goals with Iran will be easy. But I am convinced that a concerted diplomatic effort, backed up by tough sanctions, undertaken with our international partners and grounded in bipartisan cooperation at home, stands an excellent chance of persuading Iran to forego nuclear weapons and to adopt more responsible policies. |
| 3. |
Diplomacy, Not War, With Iran (8/13/07)
Richardson writes an article about how initiating war not the best course to stop Iran's nuclear program. |
Mitt Romney on Iran
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Use sanctions and diplomatic isolation of Iran to stop Iran's nuclear program; does not discount military actions as an option |
| Description: | Romney's "five-point plan" on Iran calls for tougher sanctions and diplomatic isolation of Iran. He also says that increased participation in curbing nuclear Iran by other Arab states is needed. In an April 27, 2007 speech at Yeshiva University, Romney emphasized the threat posed by Iran. While he said it was a good idea to engage Iran on Iraqi developments, Romney opposed bilateral talks on Iran's nuclear program, saying "we shouldn't let Iran try to position it as an Iran vs. a U.S. thing." Romney, like many of his fellow candidates, says that "the military option remains on the table." According to his campaign website, Romney has "led efforts and called on numerous private sector and state officials to strategically divest from Iran and cut off the resources Iran uses to fuel terror." |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Defeating the Jihadists (8/13/07)
Romney outlines his 5-point Iran plan |
| 2. |
Romney's Remarks at Yeshiva University (8/13/07)
"And fifth, we have to keep Iran from developing a nuclear bomb. Their ambition to develop nuclear weaponry is clear: they have a virtually inexhaustible supply of clean natural gas for energy, they have refused Russia's offer to supply nuclear fuel for their power. Obviously, their nuclear ambition has nothing to do with clean energy." - Romney |
| 3. |
Romney calls for isolation of Iran (8/13/07)
"Iran is an extraordinary threat to the nation and to the world as it considers nuclear armament; that is a course which is very threatening," he said. "It's essential for us to stop that." - Romney |
| 4. |
Interview With Mitt Romney (10/8/07)
I think it's unacceptable for Iran to have a nuclear weapon. Unacceptable to our interests and to the interest of the civilized world. For that reason I think we should exert every source of our world pressure to keep Iran from pursuing that course. And, of course, the military option must be left on the table. - Romney |
Tom Tancredo on Iran
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Support a militant anti-Iran group (MEK) |
| Description: | Tancredo has repeatedly said that the United States should support the Mujahadeen-e-Khalq (MEK), a prominent militant anti-Iran group based in Iraq that the State Department deems a terrorist organization. Tancredo says "I'd like them to be a little thorn in the side of the government of Iran." In 2005, Tancredo formed the Iran Human Rights and Democracy Caucus in the House with Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA) to discuss possible routes for U.S. policy toward Iran. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Iranian Opposition Group Blows Nuclear Whistle, Receives Terrorist Designation (8/13/07)
Since early 2001, the MEK has kept a low profile and has refrained from attacking Iran. To be on the State Department's list of terrorist organizations, the group must have carried out attacks within the past two years. But after receiving no evidence from the State Department that the group has done so, "we came to the conclusion that although there was certainly a spotty record in the past for them, there is nothing at the present time - except for their opposition to the present regime in Iran - that can explain their being listed" as a terrorist group, Tancredo said. |
Fred Thompson on Iran
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Support the people of Iran and use our intelligence resources to have regime change |
| Description: |
Thompson is concerned that Iran's vow to destroy Israel is more than empty rhetoric: "If we know anything from modern history, it is that when fanatical tyrants pledge to 'wipe out' an entire nation, we should listen. We must gather our alliance, and do all in our power to make sure that such men do not gain the capability to carry out their evil ambitions." But he believes that the United States may be able to change Iran without using military force: "Iran might fall of its own weight if we give it a little help. We're not doing nearly enough to get communications in there. There are riots ... that are seldom reported, but they're taking place all over the country nowadays. Their inflation is up; unemployment is up." By encouraging the people of Iran and using our intelligence resources we may be able to help bring about a regime change. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Remarks to Policy Exchange in London (10/4/07)
Thompson says we need to listen to Iran when they say they want to destroy Israel. |
| 2. |
Exclusive! Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson on Possible White House Bid (10/4/07)
Thompson believes that the United States may be able to change Iran without using military force: "Iran might fall of its own weight if we give it a little help. We're not doing nearly enough to get communications in there. There are riots ... that are seldom reported, but they're taking place all over the country nowadays. Their inflation is up; unemployment is up." By encouraging the people of Iran and using our intelligence resources we may be able to help bring about a regime change. |
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