Iran
Obama (D-IL) has expressed support for “opening dialogue”with Iran, in part to ask for its assistance in “playing a more constructive role in Iraq.” Obama has said Iran's nuclear ambitions represent a "serious threat to the United States, to our ally Israel and to international security."
Obama said in a March 2007 speech before AIPAC that he supports “tough sanctions” on Iran to compel it to stop its uranium enrichment program. In the same speech, he said that he “does not believe that the use of military force towards Iran should be ruled out . Still, in an April 2007 presidential debate, Obama said, “I think it would be a profound mistake for us to initiate a war with Iran.” The Senator hardened his position on this point following the NIE release. During a debate in Iowa on December 4 Obama accused President Bush of not letting “facts get in the way of his ideology” in dealing with Iran, and said the Bush administration’s saber-rattling and threats of war “should have never started” .
Obama has repeatedly said he would engage Iran in "tough, direct presidential diplomacy with Iran without preconditions." In a February 2008 Democratic debate, Obama said it is "important for the United States not just to talk to its friends but also to talk to its enemies," including Iran. Obama has also said the United States should consider offering the incentive of World Trade Organization membership for Iran if it abandons its nuclear program.
In March 2008, Obama praised the UN Security Council's resolution to up pressure on Iran for its nuclear program. Still, Obama said, the resolution "represents a lowest common denominator because Russia and China did not agree to tougher sanctions."In May 2007, Obama sponsored the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act, which would authorize state and local governments to divest from Iran's petroleum sector, protecting fund managers who divest from lawsuits. That bill has not reached a vote.
Obama (D-IL) has expressed support for “opening dialogue”with Iran, in part to ask for its assistance in “playing a more constructive role in Iraq.” Obama has said Iran's nuclear ambitions represent a "serious threat to the United States, to our ally Israel and to international security."
Obama said in a March 2007 speech before AIPAC that he supports “tough sanctions” on Iran to compel it to stop its uranium enrichment program. In the same speech, he said that he “does not believe that the use of military force towards Iran should be ruled out . Still, in an April 2007 presidential debate, Obama said, “I think it would be a profound mistake for us to initiate a war with Iran.” The Senator hardened his position on this point following the NIE release. During a debate in Iowa on December 4 Obama accused President Bush of not letting “facts get in the way of his ideology” in dealing with Iran, and said the Bush administration’s saber-rattling and threats of war “should have never started” .
Obama has repeatedly said he would engage Iran in "tough, direct presidential diplomacy with Iran without preconditions." In a February 2008 Democratic debate, Obama said it is "important for the United States not just to talk to its friends but also to talk to its enemies," including Iran. Obama has also said the United States should consider offering the incentive of World Trade Organization membership for Iran if it abandons its nuclear program.
In March 2008, Obama praised the UN Security Council's resolution to up pressure on Iran for its nuclear program. Still, Obama said, the resolution "represents a lowest common denominator because Russia and China did not agree to tougher sanctions."In May 2007, Obama sponsored the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act, which would authorize state and local governments to divest from Iran's petroleum sector, protecting fund managers who divest from lawsuits. That bill has not reached a vote.
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