Rep. Peter DeFazio hopeful that previous sanctions passed by Congress and the diplomacy skills of President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry will bring about a peaceful resolution for Iran.

 
Dear Ms. Lincoln:

Thanks for your message supporting a diplomatic and peaceful resolution to Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons.  I appreciate hearing from you. We are in complete agreement.

I strongly support diplomacy and believe the United States should explore every conceivable alternative to resolving our differences with foreign nations before engaging in armed conflict.  

I have written to President Obama encouraging his administration to "pursue bilateral and multilateral engagement with Iran" and reiterating support for "robust, sustained diplomacy [as] the best option to resolve our serious concerns about Iran's nuclear program, and to prevent a costly war..."

During consideration of last year's defense authorization bill I voted in support of an amendment by Rep. Barbara Lee to appoint a Special Envoy to Iran to ensure that all diplomatic avenues are pursued to avoid a war with Iran.  The amendment was defeated 77-344.

I also supported an amendment by Rep. John Conyers to require the Director of National Intelligence to submit to the congressional intelligence committees a report containing an assessment of the consequences of a military strike against Iran.  The amendment was passed unanimously.

Finally, I have refrained from supporting resolutions and legislation that would change long-standing U.S. policy by moving the so-called redline for U.S. military action against Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons to acquiring nuclear weapons "capability" – or the ability to produce enough weapon-grade uranium.  While this sounds benign, the language has significant policy implications and would move the U.S. closer to military confrontation.  

A preemptive military strike against Iran could lead to a regional war in the Middle East and attacks against U.S. interest.  Even worse, such a strike would likely compel Iran to abandon the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, eject international inspectors, and rapidly pursue a nuclear deterrent.  

The Obama administration should utilize all available tools of diplomacy to resolve the crisis over Iran's nuclear program and to prevent another costly war in the Middle East.  

I am hopeful that previous sanctions passed by Congress and the diplomacy skills of President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry will bring about a peaceful resolution to this matter.  

Again, thanks for writing and please keep in touch.  

Sincerely,

Rep. Peter DeFazio
Fourth District, OREGON

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