World Can't Allow a Nuclear Iran, Lieberman Says

Anthony Cronin, TheDay.com:

U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, D-Conn., said Iran could face economic sanctions, and possibly military force, if it refuses to back down from plans to ramp up nuclear production.

Lieberman, speaking to reporters after meeting with officials from the Electric Boat shipyard in Groton, said he is concerned about Iran's plans for a nuclear enrichment program, adding that he and others remain skeptical of the government's claim of peaceful uses.

“For this government of Iran to have nuclear weapons is a danger to the world,” said Lieberman, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and ranking member and former chairman of the Senate's Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, formerly known as the Governmental Affairs Committee. READ MORE

Lieberman's name also has been floated recently by Washington wags as a possible replacement for Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld. Lieberman laughed off such suggestions during questions Monday and answered “no” when asked if he would be interested in such a post.

Lieberman said he is concerned about any Iranian plans to develop a uranium enrichment program, even if it were for some sort of industrial use. He said Iranian comments about such uses is worrisome to many other nations as well.

There is bipartisan support among his Senate colleagues to work to peacefully to defuse any such efforts by Iran, he said.

Iranian officials have reacted with anger to growing global pressure over its stated plans and have suggested that the country could begin a full-scale uranium enrichment program if it is referred to the U.N. Security Council. While enrichment programs can be used for other purposes, such as generating the fuel used for electricity production, security officials view it as a possible stepping stone to nuclear weapons production.

Iranian officials have suggested that uranium could be enriched in another country, such as Russia, and then returned to their country for use in nuclear power plants.

Lieberman said any sort of military action by the United States or its allies would be limited, especially since this country is already engaged in military actions in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I certainly hope reason prevails,” he added.

Lieberman said he is hoping Iranian officials “make the case” to the worldwide community about their intentions, which could act to forestall pressure to take action, including referral to the United Nations, economic sanctions or a possible military threat.