Political Quotes

On the recordMarch 23, 2015
this week we will debate the budget. The key part is the military budget, one part of our government where the strategy and threats must drive the budget, not vice versa. The greatest threat to our national security is a nuclear-armed Iran, and this man, Ayatollah Khomeini, the Supreme Leader of Iran. Last week marked Nowruz, the beginning of the Persian New Year. On the occasion we were treated to speeches by President Obama and Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khomeini. I have to say, President Obama's speech was ill-advised. He spoke to the Iranian people directly, asking them to press their leaders and speak up in support of a nuclear agreement. Let's be clear about one thing: Iranians who speak up tend to disappear into secret prisons or wind up hanging from cranes by the neck. Worse, by acting as if public opinion matters to the Ayatollahs, President Obama is treating Iran as if it were a legitimate democracy, not a brutal theocratic dictatorship. No President should legitimize such a regime, which emboldens the dictator and undermines the Iranian people struggling under his yoke. But today I want to focus on the speech of this man, Ayatollah Khomeini, the Supreme Leader of Iran. The Ayatollah gave his speech on Saturday, just 2 days ago. It may have escaped your attention, but it was not exactly a New Year's message filled with blessings of hope and peace. Ayatollah Khomeini has never been a great admirer of America, of course.…
Said by
Tom Cotton
Republican · Arkansas

Share

More from Tom Cotton

Jun 23, 2026

The ODNI is too big and too bloated.

rollcall.com
Jul 22, 2026

China’s growing footprint in global agriculture is a deliberate, strategic effort to dominate food production and supply chains in ways that threatens American farmers and food security.

cotton.senate.gov
Jun 18, 2026

Left unchecked, Airwallex has been doubling down. It intends to acquire a US banking license.

cotton.senate.gov
Jun 13, 2026

If we don't extend it for at least a few weeks while we continue to try to work on our differences, the consequences could be severe.

foxnews.com

Other voices in this conversation