Arlen Specter: “The threat posed by Iran armed with nuclear weapons is obvious and very serious. It is a threat which applies for the…”

“The threat posed by Iran armed with nuclear weapons is obvious and very serious. It is a threat which applies for the region, for the world. It is a vital national security interest of the United States that Iran not be armed with nuclear weapons. It is obviously of great importance to Israel that Iran not have nuclear weapons in light of the history--the fact that the Iranian President has called for wiping Israel off the face of the Earth. I have been reluctant to call for sanctions because I am a firm believer in diplomacy and have undertaken a number of steps to try to encourage a parliamentary exchange between Iranian Parliamentarians and Members of Congress.”