Steven Holt: “I thank the ranking member. The threat of nuclear proliferation is the greatest threat to world peace. A nuclear Iran…”

“I thank the ranking member. The threat of nuclear proliferation is the greatest threat to world peace. A nuclear Iran would destabilize the region and threaten the United States and our allies. This resolution is not an authorization for military force. It is not a call for war. I would not support this resolution if it were. Our shared goal must be to persuade Iran to end its nuclear weapons program. That's President Obama's purpose in agreeing to negotiations. That's our purpose here. The world does not have many tools available, but we should use, and the world is united in using, economic and diplomatic pressure. This does not preclude diplomatic resolution. In fact, it makes diplomatic resolution more possible. Of course, ultimately, Iran should decide that it's not in her people's interest for Iran to pursue nuclear weapons. And we and all nuclear powers should stop behaving as if we think nuclear weapons are beneficial for a country. This resolution will help move us in that direction.”