[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 4813-4814]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, over the weekend the United States, 
Britain, France, China, Russia, and Germany returned to the negotiating 
table with Iran for the first time since January 2011. Reports indicate 
modest progress was made, and a second round of talks has now been 
scheduled for May.
  While these negotiations represent an opportunity to achieve a 
peaceful outcome regarding Iran's nuclear program, the United States 
and our allies must guard against Iranian delays. Iran has a history of 
using negotiations as a stalling tactic. While our negotiators talk, 
the centrifuges keep spinning. That is the crux of the problem--Iran's 
nuclear program continues.
  According to the most recent report in February from the 
International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran has produced more than 5,400 
kilograms of low-enriched uranium and more than 100 kilograms of 
uranium enriched to a level of 20 percent. Enriching uranium to a level 
of 20 percent represents 85 to 90 percent of the work needed to reach 
weapons-grade fuel. Iran is also preparing additional cascades used to 
produce enriched uranium, which will accelerate the speed at which it 
can stockpile nuclear material. In total, Iran has enriched enough 
uranium that, upon further processing, could build three to four 
nuclear weapons.
  In response to Iran's continued nuclear program and its defiance of 
United Nations' Security Council resolutions, the United States and 
many of our allies have adopted sanctions on Iran. Sanctions are having 
a significant impact on the Iranian economy. In March, Iran's oil 
exports fell nearly 300,000 barrels per day or 12 percent, according to 
foreign reports. Iran's currency has lost roughly half its value in the 
past year, and inflation is more than 20 percent. The new European 
Union sanctions are scheduled to take effect this summer. These would 
make it even more difficult for Iran to ship oil globally.
  Once the EU sanctions go into effect in July, the Congressional 
Research Service estimates that oil sales could fall by up to 40 
percent.
  In addition, a major Chinese insurance provider has announced it will 
no longer insure ships carrying Iranian oil. These are important 
developments that will increase economic pressure on the Iranian 
regime. Yet neither sanctions nor past negotiations have stopped Iran's 
nuclear program and its quest for a nuclear weapon.
  Iran's nuclear program threatens American interests. First, Iran's 
pursuit of nuclear weapons increases the risk of global nuclear 
proliferation, which would jeopardize the security of the United 
States. The last two nations to acquire nuclear weapons--Pakistan and 
North Korea--have presented numerous challenges to American security 
interests.

[[Page 4814]]

  North Korea provoked international condemnation last week when it 
launched its rocket. In Pakistan, a December report in the Atlantic 
called into question the security of that country's nuclear arsenal, 
stating that Pakistan regularly transports nuclear weapons through city 
streets without much security.
  If Iran obtains a nuclear weapon other nations in the Middle East may 
soon follow. Saudi Arabia has already said it will consider seeking 
nuclear capability if Iran's program is not stopped.
  Second, a nuclear Iran could increase its support of terrorism. Iran 
is already one of the world's leading state sponsors of terrorism, 
funneling money and weapons and supporting training for terrorist 
groups, including Hezbollah and Hamas. With a nuclear weapon Iran and 
its terrorist allies may be emboldened to carry out even more attacks. 
Furthermore, what would prevent Iran from giving nuclear weapons to one 
of the terrorist groups it supports, sharing its capabilities with one 
of the terrorist groups?
  Third, a nuclear Iran could exert more influence over world oil 
markets. A direct link exists between volatile oil prices and Iran's 
nuclear program. Prices have risen when tensions have increased, and 
when tensions recede prices typically decline. American consumers and 
businesses are directly affected by these volatile prices that 
negatively impact our economic well-being.
  Although Saudi Arabia has pledged to boost production to make up for 
the loss of Iranian oil on the market, this will reduce spare 
production capacity and leave our country and the global economy 
vulnerable to any reduction in supplies, whether from conflicts within 
oil-producing nations or from natural disaster.
  Finally, a nuclear Iran would threaten the safety of American troops 
serving abroad in the Middle East. For years Iran has fought American 
presence in the Middle East and has supported terrorist groups who have 
targeted and killed American troops. American officials believe Iran 
supported the terrorists responsible for the 1996 attack on a U.S. 
military residence in Saudi Arabia that killed 19 of our servicemen.
  Iran also has long-range missiles that could hit U.S. military bases 
in the region, including ones in Turkey, Afghanistan, Bahrain, and 
Kuwait. Iran's nuclear program also threatens the existence of our 
ally, Israel.
  The President of Iran has called for Israel to be ``wiped off the 
map.'' If Iran acquires a nuclear weapon, its leaders would have the 
capability to do the destructive things of which they speak. 
Understandably, Israel is worried. Israelis know all too well the price 
of war because they have witnessed war and destruction. They know what 
can happen when evil men gain the ability to carry out evil deeds.
  While some would have us believe Iran is Israel's problem, we should 
not be fooled. Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons threatens all nations 
that care about global peace and stability. We cannot leave Israel to 
deal with this crisis alone. American leadership is needed now more 
than ever to stop Iran. We can begin by passing the Iran Sanctions 
Accountability and Human Rights Act. This legislation, which came 
through the Banking Committee, on which I serve, earlier this year 
strengthens and expands existing sanctions and for the first time makes 
it official U.S. policy to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. 
The administration and President Obama must also fully enforce U.S. law 
and penalize those who violate U.S. sanctions.
  In addition, the U.S. should use current negotiations to bring about 
an end to Iran's nuclear program. As a party to the nonproliferation 
treaty, Iran must adhere to its obligations under that treaty and 
provide transparency to international inspectors.
  The longer Iran's nuclear program continues, the greater the danger 
grows for the United States and all nations. Last month, Israeli Prime 
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke in Washington. He is an incredible 
leader, and his speech to Congress last year was one of the best I have 
ever heard. While speaking in Washington last month, he laid out very 
clearly why a nuclear Iran would be such a grave danger. He said for 
the last 15 years he has been warning the world about a nuclear Iran.
  We must not be fooled by negotiations that only stall and continue to 
create the opportunity for greater disaster down the road. Prime 
Minister Netanyahu said no one would be happier than he if Iran gave up 
its nuclear quest. But there are many around the world who would be 
happy because we all know the world would be a far safer, more peaceful 
place without a nuclear Iran. While we all desire a peaceful 
resolution, negotiations must not be a stalling tactic or an excuse for 
inaction.
  Thursday of this week is Holocaust Remembrance Day. As we pause to 
remember and reflect on this past tragedy, the United States must act 
to prevent a nuclear Iran and the real possibility of a future tragedy. 
The world cannot again look the other way.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. PAUL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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