Jimmy Carter actually said...

"This legislation does not violate the principle of letting a competitive free enterprise system in our country function on its own."

"I would rather not give specifics, but we are prepared to take action that would be quite serious in its consequences for Iran."

"I am taking this action in the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States."

"I have determined in accordance with the Export Administration Act that the absence of controls would be detrimental to those interests."