Jan Schakowsky

Iran

I strongly believe that Iran must not be permitted to develop nuclear weapons. A nuclear-armed Iran would pose an unacceptable threat to the United States, the region, and international stability.

Under the Obama Administration, the United States has led global efforts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Tehran's nuclear ambitions pose a grave threat, not only to Israel but also to the United States and the entire world. After extensive diplomatic outreach by the Obama Administration, the UN Security Council passed a fourth round of sanctions, the strongest international economic pressure against Tehran to date. To complement those international efforts, Congress passed the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act. This legislation implements a new array of economic penalties against companies engaging with key sectors of the Iranian economy and is aimed at persuading Iran to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Congress continues to advance legislation to further tighten sanctions and to increase economic pressure on the Iranian regime.

I believe we need to give diplomacy and economic pressure time to yield results and that we must fully exhaust all diplomatic options, including strong sanctions, before considering the use of military force. While I do not believe any option can be taken off the table, war with Iran would be extremely costly and should be the last resort.

Press Releases

• Statement of U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky in Support of the Iran Nonproliferation Act
• Schakowsky's Statement of Support for Iran Sanctions Act
• Schakowsky Statement on Iranian President's Remarks on Israel

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