Sen. Lindsey Graham , who is also a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has said that Congress would authorize President Barack Obama to use military force to stop the Iranian regime’s nuclear weapons program, Gannett News Service reported.
Graham said , “What I want to do this fall is try to get my colleagues to speak up at a time when it will matter to get on record and let the Iranians know that when the president says all options are on the table, including military force, it’s not just an idle threat – we actually agree with him.” “To have a strong vote by the Congress to authorize the use of force, if necessary, to stop the Iranian program may be the last card to play before we have to actually use force.”
Graham traveled the region earlier this month, grown more alarmed about Iranian clerical regime’s nuclear ambition saying that the time of talking is quickly closing. Introducing a war resolution in September or October, Graham said, it would give more time for economic sanctions to work and would give the new Iranian regime’s president, Hassan Rouhani, a chance to act first. Graham expressed his suspicion about Iran’s getting down without a stronger threat of military action from the U.S. “My goal is to avoid war, and the best way to avoid war is to let the Iranians know they’re going to face one and lose,” Graham added.
Vice President Joe Biden said in March that Obama is “not bluffing” when it comes to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear capability.”We are not looking for war,” Biden said.
“We are looking to and ready to negotiate peacefully, but all options, including military force, are on the table,” he said.
Graham asked Congress to pre-authorize military action – before the president seeks it – would be his strongest action to date. Graham said, a nuclear Iran would threaten the entire region, and the technology might be transferred to terrorist group’s intent on attacking the U.S.
