Washington, DC – A draft resolution is circulating among members of the House of Representatives that endorses an Israeli military attack on Iran “if no other peaceful solution can be found within reasonable time.” The resolution, written by Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) and currently being circulated for cosponsors prior to its introduction, does not clarify what is meant by a “reasonable time.”
“The United States does not want or seek war with Iran” the resolution states in its introductory section, “but it will continue to keep all options open to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.” It goes on to express support for “Israel’s right to use all means necessary to confront and eliminate nuclear threats posed by Iran…including the use of military force.”
Most elected officials and military experts often characterize a potential military attack on Iran as an “option of last resort;” this resolution is the first in the current Congress that appears to set a lower standard for taking military action against Iran.
Regardless of whether Israel were to obtain formal approval by the United States to carry out an attack, most experts agree that the US would likely be held responsible by countries in the region, which could draw American troops into a third military confrontation in the Middle East.
The Obama Administration began a process of diplomatic negotiations last October, designed to gain greater cooperation from Iran on its nuclear program. Many in Congress pressed the Administration to impose a tight deadline of no more than twelve weeks on those diplomatic overtures, which did not produce an agreement. Calls for “crippling” sanctions followed, and both houses quickly passed legislation imposing a gasoline embargo on Iran.
The timing of the resolution coincides with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s policy conference in Washington, DC.
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