On the recordDecember 4, 2014
The day following the announcement of a 7- month extension to nuclear talks, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, did a victory lap. He said, ``In the nuclear issue, America and colonial European countries got together and did their best to bring the Islamic Republic to its knees, but they could not do so, and they will not be able to do so.'' These remarks are incredibly disturbing, especially when coupled with his earlier intention of building 100,000 centrifuges. The Iranian regime is essentially bragging that they are running circles around Western negotiators by achieving sanctions relief without indicating any change in behavior. The economic effects of tough sanctions brought Iran to the negotiating table to begin with. We must continue to hold Iran's feet to the fire with economic sanctions. To do otherwise plays right into Iran's hands and may force our allies in the region, particularly Israel, to take matters into their own hands. ____________________
