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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, DC – National Iranian American Council (NIAC) President Trita Parsi released the following statement regarding the recent assassination of the Iranian nuclear scientist, Mostafa Ahmadi-Roshan: NIAC condemns the assassination of Iranian scientist Mostafa Ahamdi Roshan. This assassination – the fourth in two years – is an illegal and immoral act that increases the risk of military confrontation and retaliatory acts by Iran. While such attacks may very temporarily slow Iran’s nuclear program, they could also increase Iran’s sense of need for a nuclear deterrence and by that fuel its determination to advance its nuclear program. This would render a peaceful solution dramatically more difficult. NIAC welcomes Secretary Clinton’s forceful condemnation of the assassination. However, it is deeply concerning that the government’s condemnation has been undercut by Senator Rick Santorum’s high-profile praise for such acts, including his description of the murder as “a wonderful thing” and advocacy for U.S. involvement in future assassinations. This advocacy only serves to heighten already dangerous tensions between the U.S. and Iran and undermine U.S. commitment to the rule of law. The Obama administration should further make clear that the United States will not tolerate the use of terrorism as a political tool by any nation or group, and that such acts are counterproductive to the cause of international nonproliferation. |
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