On Saturday, the U.S. Senate passed a non-binding resolution 90-1 expressing the sentiment that the U.S. must “do everything possible” to prevent Iran from developing nuclear capabilities.
The resolution
came out of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s demands for a “red line”
by the U.S. on military action, and while the resolution is not in and of itself
an authorization for military action it continues to express the sentiment that
an offensive war against Iran is a viable option.
The sole “no”
vote was cast by Sen. Rand Paul (R - KY), who argued that the resolution would
inevitably be used as an excuse for the use of military force against Iran. Sen.
Paul went on to say he is opposed to containment as well.
The resolution
also demands Iran forever abandon its right to enrich uranium for civilian
purposes. Antiwar
The Senate bill
comes as cracks have appeared in U.S.-Israel relations in the wake of the U.S.
rejection of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s open bellicosity in
pressuring Washington to set ‘red lines’ for Iran's nuclear energy
activities. Israel has
recently stepped up threats of carrying out a unilateral strike against Iran’s
nuclear energy facilities. The United
States, Israel and some of their allies have accused Iran of pursuing
non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program with the Israeli regime
repeatedly threatening Tehran with a military strike to pressure it to halt its
peaceful nuclear energy work. Iran rejects the
allegations, arguing that as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, it is entitled to
develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. On September 19,
Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said the Islamic
Republic currently enjoys the defensive military capacity to obliterate the
Israeli regime.
The United
States has 5,113 warheads in its nuclear arsenal, according to Washington
Post.
AHT/HJ
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