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Senators Feinstein and Kyl Introduce Resolution Calling on Iran to Halt its Nuclear Weapons Program

- Resolution also Calls for UN Sanctions if Iran continues
Pursuit of Nuclear Weapons -
October 15, 2003

Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Jon Kyl (R-AZ) today introduced a resolution calling on Iran to cease its efforts to produce nuclear weapons and come into compliance under the Nuclear non-proliferation treaty and its other international obligations.

The resolution also calls on the member states of the United Nations, including Russia, to join together to prevent Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapons program and asks members of the Security Council to impose sanctions on Iran if the nation does not fulfill its obligations to the International Atomic Energy Agency by October 31, 2003.

"The time has come for the international community to speak with one voice and urge Iran to abandon its attempts to acquire nuclear weapons," Senator Feinstein said. "With the fall of the Hussein regime in Iraq, attention has turned to the threat posed by the Islamic Republic of Iran and the recent revelations about its nuclear program. I am increasingly concerned that Tehran is determined to develop nuclear weapons and substantially alter the balance of power in the Middle East."

"If the government of Iran has nothing to hide about its nuclear programs, then there is no need for further delay in complying with international weapons inspections," said Kyl. "I suspect that Iran has a great deal to hide, however. It therefore is incumbent on the international community to work together to deter Iran, a terrorist sponsor, from obtaining nuclear weapons that would threaten the entire region."

Specifically, the resolution calls on the Government of Iran to:

  • Come into verifiable compliance with its obligations under the September 12, 2003 resolution of the International Atomic Energy Agency;


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  • Come into verifiable compliance with its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons; and


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  • Immediately sign the Model Additional Protocol of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which would allow inspectors freer access to nuclear sites.

"By approving this resolution, Congress would send a clear message to Tehran and pressure the Iranian Government to live up to its commitments and, in particular, sign the additional protocol to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty to permit snap, short-notice inspections of Iran's declared and undeclared nuclear facilities," Senator Feinstein said.

Addressing these actions, the resolution expresses the Sense of the Congress that the United States:

  • Deplores the Islamic Republic of Iran's development of a nuclear weapons program and for its failures to report material, facilities, and activities to the International Atomic Energy Agency as it is obligated to do pursuant to its safeguards agreement;


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  • Concurs with the conclusion reached in the U.S. Department of State's Annual Noncompliance Report that Iran is pursuing a program to develop nuclear weapons;


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  • Calls on the President of the United States to urge the Islamic Republic of Iran to accept in full the International Atomic Energy Agency's September 12, 2003 resolution;


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  • Calls on member states of the United Nations to join the United States in preventing the Islamic Republic of Iran from continuing to pursue and develop programs or facilities that could be used in a nuclear weapons program; and


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  • Calls on the United Nations Security Council to consider the threat to international peace and security posed by Iran's nuclear weapons program, including a Security Council resolution, that would impose diplomatic and economic sanctions against Iran should Iran fail to live up to its obligations to the International Atomic Energy Agency by October 31, 2003.

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"I firmly believe that the Iranian people desire to see their country break its ties with the past and commit itself to a future based on democracy, human rights, and the rule of law," Senator Feinstein said. "If they are to realize that dream, the United States must work closely with our friends and allies in the international community to put pressure on Iran to abandon its nuclear weapons program, cease its support for terror, and become a positive force for change in the Middle East. I urge my colleagues to support the resolution."

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