Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Dr. David Kay Questioned Bush Adminstration's Case Against Iran Back in October

Back in early October, Congressman Dennis Kucinich held a hearing to examine the validity of the Bush administration's claim that Iran's nuclear program poses an immediate threat to the United States.

At the hearing Dr. David Kay, the former IAEA/UNSCOM Chief Nuclear Weapons Inspector, had this to say. "Iran does not today, and is not likely for some time, to pose a nuclear threat to its neighbors or to the United States. Assuming the worse case that Iran has already made the decision to proceed with a nuclear weapons program, the world has both the time and a number of options for making Iran's possession of such weapons a very expensive and difficult goal to reach."

Dr. Kay went on to emphasize that Iran should be prevented from developing nuclear weapons. He voiced his support for a policy of multi-lateral and bi-lateral engagement to reach that goal. Most importantly, Kay emphasized that those who see inaction or military action as the only options on the table for dealing with Iran are wrong, and that such a view would only lead to tragedy.

According to the latest National Intelligence Estimate - Iran: Nuclear Intentions and Capabilities -Iran halted its nuclear weapons program back in 2003. Dr. Kay's conclusions seem especially relevant now that we know that the Bush adminstration's efforts to portray Iran as a country determined to develop nuclear weapons are based largely on speculation, rather than on verifiable intelligence. The NIE found that Iran halted its nuclear weapons program because of international pressure, making the nation more open to negotiation that had been previously believed.

Reasonable Foreign Policy believes that the United States should work with the international community to ensure that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons in the future. It recognizes that Iran's civilian nuclear program does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. security. Therefore, members of Congress are being urged oppose any military action against Iran.

I hope you will take the time to sign the petition calling on members of Congress to say "No" to military action against Iran.

David Anderson
Founder, Reasonable Foreign Policy