Senator Carl Levin Responds to Our Concerns Regarding the Iran Situation

We forwarded our comments, postings and concerns to our honorable Senator, Carl Levin. Mr. Levin graciously responded to us almost immediately. (We contacted Senator Levin as a follow-up to our suggestion that we contact our Senators and our Congresspersons in our last posting, Ahmadenijad, Bush and Putin - Is it Time for a Treaty?).


"Thank you for contacting me concerning U.S. policy toward Iran. As a member of the Senate, I have closely monitored the situation in Iran. Among other things, I have supported efforts to encourage democratic reforms and to protect religious minorities in that nation.





The Iranian government's apparent pursuit of nuclear weapons, support of international terrorism, opposition to the Mideast peace process, and repression of civil society have caused the U.S. to continue to distance itself from the government in Tehran. We must take a strong stand and work with our allies to address these issues.





The U.S. has had serious concerns about Iran's domestic and international actions since 1979 when Iran seized American hostages in Tehran. Since that incident, the U.S. has imposed a number of sanctions, including a ban on financial assistance and the sale of arms to Iran. The sale of dual use items was restricted when Iran was added to the list of state sponsors of terrorism in 1984. In 1995, President Clinton issued an Executive Order banning U.S. trade and investment in Iran, which has been renewed by President Bush. I supported the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act (ILSA) of 1996, which tightened sanctions against Iran even more. I also supported the Iran Freedom Support Act (P.L.109-293), which extended the ILSA until December 31, 2011. Additionally, this law makes the export of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) or advanced conventional weapons technology to Iran sanctionable.





Over the years, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has made numerous statements that are deeply disturbing and detrimental to efforts to secure a lasting peace in the Middle East. His statements have also been threatening to nations around the world, including the United States, that formally recognize the State of Israel. Furthermore, Iran's clandestine nuclear activities and its attempts to develop nuclear materials and possibly weapons pose a serious threat to peace in the region and could potentially offer terrorist organizations access to fissile materials. Iran's reluctance to cooperate more fully with the international community, especially with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), indicates that the government in Tehran is not committed to taking the steps necessary to make the world a more secure place.





On March 29, 2006, the U.N. Security Council issued a presidential statement calling for Iran to reinstate its suspension of enrichment and reprocessing, reconsider construction of its heavy water reactor, ratify and implement the Additional Protocol to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty allowing for enhanced inspections. Iran continued its enrichment activities, while claiming it was cooperating with the IAEA.





On December 23, 2006, the Security Council passed a resolution (UNSCR 1737) demanding enrichment suspension by February 21, 2007, and preventing the financing or sale of technology that could contribute to Iran's uranium enrichment or heavy water reprocessing activities. It also required U.N. member states to freeze the financial assets of ten Iranian nuclear and missile firms. On February 22, 2007, the IAEA stated that Iran had not suspended its enrichment programs. On March 24, 2007, the Security Council adopted Resolution 1747, expanding on Resolution 1737 by banning all arms trade with Iran, freezing the assets of an additional ten Iranian firms and requiring all countries to report to the U.N. when an Iranian diplomat travels to their country.





Iran's confrontational stance toward the international community and its apparent pursuit of nuclear weapons have led some to suggest military action against Iran and its nuclear facilities. As always, the use of military action should be considered only after all suitable alternatives and diplomatic options have been exhausted. I believe we must continue to work with our allies to address this situation diplomatically. We should not refuse to talk with Iran, while we work with our allies to send a clear and strong message. In the short term, I support the continuation of U.S. sanctions and the imposition of international sanctions through the United Nations as necessary.





In order to re-enter the international community, Iran must fully disclose all of its nuclear activities and give up any nuclear weapon ambitions, as well as strive to improve its human rights record at home. I will continue to monitor the situation in Iran closely.





Thank you again for contacting me.





Sincerely,Carl Levin"