Topics in the News: Iranian Nukes
Tim Walz on War & Peace
: Oct 1, 2024
Build coalition against Iranian nuclear weapons
WALZ: Israel's ability to be able to defend itself is absolutely fundamental. What we've seen out of Vice President Harris is we've seen steady leadership. We've seen a calmness that is able to be able to draw on the coalitions, to bring them together,
understanding that our allies matter. When our allies see Donald Trump turn towards Vladimir Putin, turn towards North Korea, when we start to see that type of fickleness around holding the coalitions together--we will stay committed. We will protect
our forces and our allied forces, and there will be consequences.VANCE: Governor Walz just accused Donald Trump of being an agent of chaos, Donald Trump actually delivered stability in the world, and he did it by establishing effective deterrence.
WALZ: We had a coalition of nations that had boxed Iran's nuclear program in. Donald Trump pulled that program and put nothing else in its place. So Iran is closer to a nuclear weapon than they were before because of Donald Trump's fickle leadership.
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Source: 2024 Vice Presidential debate: Tim Walz vs. JD Vance
Nikki Haley on War & Peace
: May 7, 2023
Played a prominent role in withdrawing from Iran deal
Known as the "Iran whisperer," Nikki played a prominent role in Trump's decision to repeal Obama's disastrous Iran deal. She argued that the United States could not ignore all of the regime's bad behavior, including its continued development of
ballistic missiles, its terrorist activities throughout the Middle East, and its refusal to give access to international inspectors. She argued that the Iran nuclear deal made America less safe and praised Trump's decertification of it.
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Source: 2024 Presidential campaign website NikkiHaley.com
Donald Trump on War & Peace
: Dec 1, 2020
Implicitly approved Israel killing Iranian nuclear scientist
Israel assassinated Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, Iran's top nuclear scientist. The Israeli government has not claimed credit for the illegal killing. Trump implicitly praised the assassination, retweeting a comment by Israeli journalist and intelligence expert
Yossi Melman that the killing was a "major psychological and professional blow" to Iran. This was an "implicit approval if there ever was one," according to a senior research analyst at the National Iranian American Council.
In January, the Trump administration assassinated Iran's top general, Qassim Suleimani. Shortly before that assassination, Pompeo followed the same pattern
[as prior to the Mohsen Fakhrizadeh killing]--traveling and meetings with U.S. allies in the region.
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Source: Truthout blog on 2020 Trump Administration
Howie Hawkins on War & Peace
: Jul 12, 2020
Supports 2015 Iran nuclear deal
The Green Party supports the "joint comprehensive plan of action" signed in July, 2015 which confirms Iran's status as a zone free of nuclear weapons. The Green Party supports the swift elimination of economic sanctions on Iran and looks to
the normalization of relations between Iran and the United States. The Green Party also calls on Israel to dismantle its nuclear weapons program and sign on to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.
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Source: Green Party Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful
Mike Pence on Foreign Policy
: Feb 27, 2020
The world knows this: America stands with Israel
If the world knows nothing else, the world knows this, America stands with Israel. This president has done more to support our most cherished allies than anyone could have imagined just three short years ago. We got out of the Iran nuclear deal.
He recognized Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and President Donald Trump moved the American embassy to Jerusalem, the capital of the state of Israel.
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Source: Remarks by V.P. Pence at the 2020 CPAC Conference
Marianne Williamson on War & Peace
: Aug 16, 2019
Rejoin Iran nuclear deal and increase diplomacy
I would rejoin the JCPOA [Iran's Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action]. After the deal, Iranian moderates gained popularity and fundamentalists lost power. This deal was intended as a first step toward improving relationships. The Supreme Leader and
hardliners opposed the deal. US withdrawal increases their popularity and justifies their mistrust of the US. I would increase diplomacy, decrease tensions, and transform relations to create a context to address human rights and other issues.
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Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2020 presidential primary
Mike Pence on Foreign Policy
: Jun 23, 2019
No nukes for Iran; support Iranians but not government
Iran has announced they're going to exceed the uranium enrichment limits within the Iran nuclear deal, one of the worst deals this country had ever entered into. The President's decision to refrain from a military strike when he learned it could cost
150 Iranian lives sends a message. It's time for Iran to recognize that America will never allow them to obtain a nuclear weapon. That would be a threat to our country, a threat to our cherished ally, Israel, and a threat to the world.
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Source: CBS Face the Nation 2019 interview
Kamala Harris on Foreign Policy
: Jun 23, 2019
We need to get back into Iran nuclear deal
I believe that we need to get back into the Iran nuclear deal. I would strengthen it. I would include ballistic missile testing. I think that we can strengthen what we do in terms of monitoring and verification. But there's no question that a lot of
negotiation with a great deal of depth took place over a long period of time to reach that agreement, and it was an agreement that was being complied with by all parties.
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Source: CBS Face the Nation 2019 interview
Kamala Harris on Foreign Policy
: Jun 23, 2019
Iran nuclear deal was being complied with by all parties
I believe that we need to get back into the Iran nuclear deal. I would strengthen it. I would include ballistic missile testing. I think that we can strengthen what we do in terms of monitoring and verification.
There's no question that a lot of negotiation with a great deal of depth took place over a long period of time to reach that agreement, and it was an agreement that was being complied with by all parties.
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Source: CBS Face the Nation 2019 interview series
Howie Hawkins on War & Peace
: May 28, 2019
Goal: complete global nuclear disarmament
We demand the US honor its treaty obligations and restore the Intermediate Nuclear Force treaty and the Iran nuclear deal, that the US take its nuclear weapons off hair-trigger alert, adopt a No First Use policy, and unilaterally disarm to a minimum
credible nuclear deterrent. The US should then follow up with urgent negotiations for complete global nuclear disarmament as provided for in the 1970 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and demanded by the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
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Source: Declaration of Candidacy for the Green Party Nomination
Donald Trump on War & Peace
: Feb 5, 2019
Iran is a terrorist regime, so withdrew from nuclear deal
My Administration has acted decisively to confront the world's leading state sponsor of terror: the radical regime in Iran. To ensure this corrupt dictatorship never acquires nuclear weapons, I withdrew the United States from
the disastrous Iran nuclear deal. And last fall, we put in place the toughest sanctions ever imposed on a country. We will not avert our eyes from a regime that chants death to America and threatens genocide against the Jewish people.
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Source: 2019 State of the Union address to United States Congress
Donald Trump on Foreign Policy
: Feb 23, 2018
Treat foes of US worse than they could ever imagine
We declined to certify the terrible one-sided Iran nuclear deal. It was a horrible deal. Whoever heard you give $150 billion to a nation that has no respect for you whatsoever? They're saying death to America. If somebody said death to America, while
I'm signing an agreement, I say what's going on, folks? I'm not signing. People that treat us well, we treat them well. People that treat us badly, we treat them much worse than they could ever imagine. That's the way it has to be.
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Source: Vox.com blog, "Trump at CPAC 2018"
Bernie Sanders on War & Peace
: Sep 21, 2017
Protect Iranian nuke deal; without it, Iran is unlimited
For many years, leaders across the world had become increasingly concerned about the possibility of an Iranian nuclear weapon. What the Obama administration and our European allies were able to do was to get an agreement that froze and dismantled
large parts of that nuclear program, put it under the most intensive inspections regime in history, and removed the prospect of an Iranian nuclear weapon from the list of global threats. I call on my colleagues in the Congress, and all Americans:
We must protect this deal. President Trump has signaled his intention to walk away from it, regardless of the evidence that it is working. That would be a mistake.
This would potentially free Iran from the limits placed on its nuclear program.
If we are genuinely concerned with Iran's behavior in the region, as I am, the worst possible thing we could do is break the nuclear deal. It would make all of these other problems harder.
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Source: Westminster College speech in Where We Go From Here, p. 107
Bernie Sanders on War & Peace
: Sep 21, 2017
Why would anyone trust US if we abrogated Iran nuke treaty?
President Trump has signaled his intention to walk away from the [multinational Iranian nuclear deal negotiated by Obama]. Not only would this potentially free Iran from the limits placed on its nuclear program, it would irreparably harm America's
ability to negotiate future nonproliferation agreements. Why would any country in the world sign such an agreement with the US if they knew that a reckless president and an irresponsible Congress might simply discard that agreement a few years later?
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Source: Westminster College speech in Where We Go From Here, p. 107
Mike Pence on War & Peace
: Feb 5, 2017
All options are on the table for Iranian nukes
Q: Hasn't President Trump issued, in effect, his own red line on Iran? And if they continue with missile test, how far is the president willing to go to try to stop them? PENCE: Well, all options are on the table. The Iranians will do well to look at
the calendar and recognize that we've got a new president in the Oval Office. That disastrous nuclear deal that the last administration entered into with Iran should have encouraged better behavior by the Iranians.
But instead, what we see, they're flouting U.N. Security Council resolutions, banning ballistic missile test or whether it'd be the way they're arming of Houthis in
Yemen who just last week attacked a Saudi Arabian ship. What we're seeing here is hostile action, belligerent action being supported by or taken by the Iranians. And we're just not going to put up with it anymore.
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Source: Fox News Sunday 2017 interview by Chris Wallace
Jill Stein on Foreign Policy
: Oct 9, 2016
Support Iranian nuclear deal as part of nuclear-free Mideast
Q: On Iran: Support treaty limiting Iran's nuclear capacity in return for lifting economic sanctions?Clinton: Yes.
Trump: No.
Johnson: "Skeptic," but "wouldn't get rid of treaty."
Stein: Yes. Create nuclear-free zone in the entire Middle East.
Q: On Iraq: Did you support the Iraq war? Should the US commit significant additional ground troops to Iraq to combat ISIS?
Clinton: Voted to give Bush authority for war; then said "made a mistake." Supported Obama draw-down. Opposes adding more
combat troops, but wants more support for Arab & Kurdish ground forces.
Trump: Says opposed war but made no public opposition statements at time, & some indicating support. Later supported troop withdrawal. Now supports 20,000-30,000 additional US
troops.
Johnson: Opposed war. Boots on ground, bombs, & drones "make things worse." ISIS has been "largely contained geographically."
Stein: End Iraq and Afghan wars, withdraw troops & military contractors. Weapons embargo in Middle East.
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Source: CampusElect Voter Guide to 2016 Presidential race
Mike Pence on Foreign Policy
: Apr 26, 2016
Against agreement with Iran; keep all sanctions
Pence joined 14 other GOP governors in a letter to President Obama opposing the Iran nuclear deal: "I am opposed to this agreement because it will not make the US or our most cherished ally, Israel, safer. Instead, it promises Iran a lifting of US nuclea
related sanctions for an agreement on Iran's nuclear weapons program that will only halt its ambitions temporarily, rather than permanently dismantle its nuclear desires," Pence wrote.The letter asserted: "This agreement would lead to the lifting of
sanctions on Iran without any guarantee that Iran's drive toward obtaining a nuclear weapon will be halted or even slowed. Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism, and it should not be permitted any pathway toward obtaining a nuclear weapon, now or ever.
The lifting of federal sanctions that would only result in Iran having more money available to fund terrorist groups and attacks. We intend to ensure that the various state-level sanctions that are now in effect remain in effect.
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Source: Indianapolis Star on 2016 Indiana gubernatorial race
Donald Trump on Foreign Policy
: Feb 13, 2016
Iran deal is one of the worst I've ever seen
Sen. Ted CRUZ: If you look at the threats facing this country, the single gravest threat, national security threat, is the threat of a nuclear Iran. That's why I've pledged on day one to rip to shreds this Iranian nuclear deal.
TRUMP: The Iran deal is one of the worst deals I have ever seen negotiated in my entire life. It's a disgrace that this country negotiated that deal.
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Source: 2016 CBS Republican primary debate in South Carolina
Bernie Sanders on Foreign Policy
: Feb 11, 2016
We should try and talk to enemies, even Iran
CLINTON: I think we have achieved a great deal with the Iranian nuclear agreement. That has to be enforced absolutely with consequences for Iran at the slightest deviation from their requirements under the agreement. I do not think we should promise or
even look toward normalizing relations because we have a lot of other business to get done with Iran. Yes, they have to stop being the main state sponsor of terrorism. Yes, they have to stop trying to destabilize the Middle East, causing even more chaos.
SANDERS: I recall when Secretary Clinton ran against then-Senator Obama, she was critical of him for suggesting that maybe you want to talk to Iran, that you want to talk to our enemies.
Iran is sponsoring terrorism in many parts of the world, destabilizing areas. Everybody knows that. But our goal is to try to deal with our enemies, not just ignore that reality.
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Source: 2016 PBS Democratic debate in Wisconsin
Donald Trump on Homeland Security
: Nov 10, 2015
We worry about Iranian nukes but why not North Korean nukes?
It's not only Russia [that we're having trouble with]. We have problems with North Korea where they actually have nuclear weapons. You know, nobody talks about it, we talk about Iran, and that's one of the worst deals ever made. One of the worst
contracts ever signed, ever, in anything, and it's a disgrace. But, we have somebody over there, a madman, who already has nuclear weapons we don't talk about that.
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Source: Fox Business/WSJ First Tier debate
Chris Christie on Free Trade
: Nov 8, 2015
Supports free trade, but distrusts Obama's TPP agreement
Q: You've come out against the president's trade agreement that would eliminate 18,000 tariffs on US exports. Why isn't that a good thing? CHRISTIE: I don't trust this president to negotiate any deal. And that's what my answer was, to say I don't
trust this president negotiating a deal. I wouldn't let this president buy me a car, that's how bad a negotiator he is. So, I will not support TPP as negotiated by this president, because I'm convinced it will be just as bad as the Iranian nuclear deal.
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Source: Fox News Sunday 2015 Coverage of 2016 presidential hopefuls
Donald Trump on Foreign Policy
: Sep 16, 2015
We must deal with the maniac in North Korea with nukes
[With regards to the Iranian nuclear deal]: Nobody ever mentions North Korea where you have this maniac sitting there and he actually has nuclear weapons and somebody better start thinking about North Korea and perhaps a couple of other places.
You have somebody right now in North Korea who has got nuclear weapons and who is saying almost every other week, "I'm ready to use them." And we don't even mention it.
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Source: 2015 Republican two-tiered primary debate on CNN
Nikki Haley on Foreign Policy
: Sep 8, 2015
Against nuclear deal with Iran; keep state sanctions
Fifteen Republican governors wrote a letter to President Obama opposing the Iran nuclear deal: "If implemented, this agreement would lead to the lifting of United States nuclear-related sanctions on Iran without any guarantee that Iran's drive toward
obtaining a nuclear weapon will be halted or even slowed. Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism, and it should not be permitted any pathway toward obtaining a nuclear weapon, now or ever. The lifting of federal sanctions that will result from this
We've been ranked as the second best state in the nation as a place to do business. But we aren't going to stop until we're first. We've announced $5 billion in foreign investment.And we've seen no less an authority than The Wall Street Journal say
that, "Anyone still thinking the U.S. has lost its manufacturing chops hasn't been to South Carolina."
South Carolina is truly becoming the "It" state when it comes to economic development and job creation--not just in the United States, but worldwide.
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Source: 2013 State of the State address to S. C. Legislature
Asa Hutchinson on Foreign Policy
: Sep 8, 2015
Against nuclear deal with Iran; keep state sanctions
Fifteen Republican governors wrote a letter to President Obama opposing the Iran nuclear deal: "If implemented, this agreement would lead to the lifting of United States nuclear-related sanctions on Iran without any guarantee that Iran's drive toward
obtaining a nuclear weapon will be halted or even slowed. Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism, and it should not be permitted any pathway toward obtaining a nuclear weapon, now or ever. The lifting of federal sanctions that will result from this
agreement will only result in Iran having more money available to fund terrorist groups and attacks. The people of our states will not be safer as a result of this agreement, much less citizens of countries like Israel which Iran has threatened to
destroy. "Many of our states have divestment policies as well as restrictions against state contractors doing business with the government of Iran. We intend to ensure that the various state-level sanctions that are now in effect remain in effect."
Click for Asa Hutchinson on other issues.
Source: Letter to Pres. Obama from 15 Governors on Iran nuclear deal
Chris Christie on Foreign Policy
: Sep 8, 2015
Against nuclear deal with Iran; keep state sanctions
Fifteen Republican governors wrote a letter to President Obama opposing the Iran nuclear deal: "If implemented, this agreement would lead to the lifting of United States nuclear-related sanctions on Iran without any guarantee that Iran's drive toward
obtaining a nuclear weapon will be halted or even slowed. Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism, and it should not be permitted any pathway toward obtaining a nuclear weapon, now or ever. The lifting of federal sanctions that will result from this
agreement will only result in Iran having more money available to fund terrorist groups and attacks. The people of our states will not be safer as a result of this agreement, much less citizens of countries like Israel which Iran has threatened to
destroy. "Many of our states have divestment policies as well as restrictions against state contractors doing business with the government of Iran. We intend to ensure that the various state-level sanctions that are now in effect remain in effect."
Click for Chris Christie on other issues.
Source: Letter to Pres. Obama from 15 Governors on Iran nuclear deal
Bernie Sanders on War & Peace
: Sep 5, 2015
Iran nuke deal is victory for diplomacy over saber-rattling
Keeping the Iranian nuclear program in check with international observers is greatly preferable to the lack of oversight that has been the status quo. Without a nuclear deal, Iran can continue to rapidly develop its nuclear program.Bernie views a
nuclear-armed Iran as a threat and, therefore, supports the recent nuclear deal that will reduce Iran's nuclear capabilities. While the agreement needs to be looked over with careful scrutiny, Bernie has hailed the Iran nuclear deal as a victory "for
diplomacy over saber-rattling."
Bernie stands with the majority of Americans in supporting diplomacy as the best method to reach a solution to Iran's nuclear threat. He sees military action as the least favorable approach, noting it's "imperative that
we do everything we can to reach a diplomatic solution and avoid never-ending war in the Middle East." Even when dealing with hostile nations, diplomatic relations are important: at the height of the Cold War, the US signed treaties with the USSR.
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Source: 2016 grassroots campaign website FeelTheBern.org, "Issues"
Bernie Sanders on Foreign Policy
: Aug 9, 2015
We have to negotiate with others, even Iran
Q: Do you support the Iranian nuclear deal?SANDERS: We have got to go through every possible effort in order to make sure that we achieve that goal of Iran not having a nuclear weapon without going to war.
Q: So, do you support the agreement?
SANDERS: Yes, I do. Look, I'm not going to tell that you this is a perfect agreement. And every agreement can be better.
Q: What about hard-liners chanting death to America in Iraq making common cause with the opponents of this deal?
SANDERS: I wouldn't frame it that way. But this is the way I would frame it. It's so easy to be critical of an agreement which is not perfect. But the US has to negotiate with other countries. We have to negotiate with Iran.
And the alternative, you know what it is? It's war. Do we really want another war, a war with Iran? I think we go as far as we possibly can in trying to give peace a chance, if you like, trying to see if this agreement will work. And I will support it.
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Source: CBS Face the Nation 2015 coverage:2016 presidential hopefuls
Chris Christie on War & Peace
: Aug 2, 2015
We need anytime/anywhere inspections for Iran nukes
Q: Ted Cruz said that if the Iran deal is consummated, it will make the Obama administration "the world's leading financier of radical Islamic terrorism" because of the sanction relief. Mitt Romney, who opposes the Iran deal, said that this rhetoric way
over the line. What do you think? A: Let's talk the facts of the deal. We shouldn't be getting the hyperbole. The fact that we have to wait 24 days to inspect a site if the Iranians object is outrageous. That would be like me getting a search
warrant, coming to somebody's house who I think is committing a crime and saying, here, I have got a search warrant, I will be back in 24 days to search.
Q: Well, if it was a radioactive crime, the inspectors say that they would be able to discern
whether or not there was radioactive material there 24 days later.
A: The president promised any time anywhere. And you cannot tell me that, in 24 days, the Iranians cannot move the elements of cheating from one area to another.
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Source: CNN SOTU 2015 interview series: 2016 presidential hopefuls
Joe Biden on War & Peace
: Mar 4, 2013
Prevent--not contain--Iranian nuclear weapon
We're mindful that pursuing a better future for Israel means helping Israel confront the myriads of threat it faces in the neighborhood. It's a tough neighborhood, and it starts with Iran. It is not only in Israel's interest that Iran does not acquire a
nuclear weapon, it's in the interest of the United States of America. It's simple. And, as a matter of fact, it's in the interest of the entire world.Iran's acquisition of a nuclear weapon not only would present an existential threat to Israel,
it would present a threat to our allies and our partners--and to the United States. And it would trigger an arms race--a nuclear arms race in the region, and make the world a whole lot less stable.
So we have a shared strategic commitment. Let me make clear what that commitment is: It is to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Period. End of discussion. Prevent--not contain--prevent.
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Source: Speech at the AIPAC Policy Conference
Chris Christie on War & Peace
: Feb 10, 2012
Iranian nukes are profoundly against our national security
Stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability must be a top priority of the United States of America. Any president, Republican or Democrat, who allows such a thing to occur on his watch, would be acting in a way that is profoundly against the
national security interests of the US and the security interests of our friends in Israel.[Washington policymakers should] tell the truth about the difficulty of the solutions. We need to speak that truth out loud. It makes us uncomfortable.
It is a difficult set of words to string together, but we know that ignoring it will not make it go away, any more than ignoring our problems at home will make them go away either. America needs no introduction, but it is time that we start to
live up to our greatness again, by telling the truth to each other and being willing to listen to those hard truths. There is simply nothing more important if America wants to continue to lead a free and hopeful world.
Click for Chris Christie on other issues.
Source: Speech at 2012 Conservative Political Action Conference
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