[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 31, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S363]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IRAN'S EFFORTS TO OBTAIN NUCLEAR WEAPONS

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, as a known sponsor of international 
terrorism, and in light of the president of Iran's recent apocalyptic 
statements calling for the destruction of Israel, Iran must not be 
allowed to develop nuclear weapons. The international community must 
respond quickly and decisively to Iran's gross disregard of 
international treaties and obligations and to its concerted and 
malicious efforts to develop the capability to create nuclear weapons.
  The international community must take concerted and decisive action 
to prevent Iran from furthering its nuclear research and technology 
development. In its forthcoming meeting on February 2, 2006, the 
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors should 
heed the calls by Russia, China, the European Union, and the United 
States to reaffirm its findings that Iran has blatantly violated its 
international obligations, recognize the grave nature of Iran's recent 
actions, and refer Iran to the United Nations Security Council. The 
Security Council should then speak with one voice to condemn Iran's 
actions and send a clear signal that continued defiance of the 
international community will not be tolerated.
  It is essential that the Security Council approve specific actions to 
prevent the furthering of Iran's nuclear capabilities. The Security 
Council specifically, and the international community generally, must 
recognize the potentially devastating link between the violent and 
defiant rhetoric of Iran's president and his regime's determined effort 
to undermine approved and transparent methods of developing civilian 
nuclear technology for energy use.
  Congress can also take steps to help stop or slow Iran's acquisition 
of nuclear and other WMD-related technology, including adding teeth to 
export control legislation such as the Iran and Syria Nonproliferation 
Act. The Iran Nonproliferation Enhancement Act, S.1976, that Senator 
Kyl and I introduced late last year would do just that. It would 
toughen the ISNA by requiring rather than merely authorizing sanctions 
on proliferators, extending sanctions to the parent companies, and 
increasing the types of sanctions that apply to proliferators. By 
adopting this legislation, we would be sending a crystal clear message 
to would-be proliferators: if you choose to assist Iran in developing 
nuclear or other WMD-related capabilities, you are also choosing to 
forgo doing business with the United States.
  History teaches us that we cannot ignore the stated intent of those 
who seek to destroy nations. A nuclear-armed Iran would pose a grave 
threat to the region, to Israel, and to the entire international 
community. A concerted international effort is needed to prevent Iran 
from procuring the technology and materiel needed to develop a nuclear 
weapon. This effort must begin now, and it must be comprehensive.

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