Iran's Nuclear Program

Floor Speech

SPEECH OF
HON. TOM REED
OF NEW YORK
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2011

Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because the threat posed by a nuclear armed Iran poses an unacceptable risk to the United States and our close ally Israel.

It is clear that Iran is not pursuing a purely civilian nuclear program, but rather one that is designed to further their ability to access and utilize nuclear weapons. This is supported by our country's military and intelligence leaders. Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen said he doesn't believe "for a second" that Iran's nuclear program is for civilian use. While Director of Intelligence James Clapper testified to Congress that Iran is developing "various nuclear capabilities that better position it to produce such weapons."

Yet, Iran's nuclear program continues unabated.

With enough low-enriched nuclear material to produce three nuclear bombs, Iran could be at most two or three years away from a nuclear weapon. They are also developing the capacity to stockpile highly enriched nuclear material.

Quite simply, United States policy must remain focused on preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. I believe that sanctions remain the best tool at our disposal to peacefully persuade Iran to abandon its reckless defiance of international law.

While existing sanctions from the U.S. and the international community had achieved a crippling effect on the Iranian economy, I believe that our sanctions should be tougher to keep pressure on the Iranian leadership. This includes sanctioning foreign banks and energy companies.

The choice is ours: we must continue to engage the international community and do everything in our power to protect our vital ally Israel.

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