Graham: We must stop nuclear Iran

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said he would prefer to use military force to stop Iran’s nuclear weapons program than to accept a bad deal that international negotiators are currently working on.

“We have to stop their ambitions to become a nuclear nation,” Graham said on the Senate floor Thursday. “Look at the Middle East and ask yourself if this is a good place to give nuclear capability.”

{mosads}Graham’s comments came three days before the July 20 deadline for negotiators to reach a long-term agreement to end Iran’s nuclear weapons program in exchange for lifting sanctions.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking member Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) said he fears the administration will ask for another short-term extension since a deal doesn’t seem to be within reach.

“It really feels like Iran is rope-a-doping us on this agreement,” Corker said in a colloquy with Graham. “My sense is the administration is going to ask for another extension in the next few days.”

Graham said he would prefer a diplomatic solution instead of military action.

“I hope and I pray that a deal can come about that will neuter the nuclear ambitions of Iran … but I don’t think that’s what they want,” Graham said.