An American-Iranian group that favors talks with Tehran has launched a petition calling on Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) to apologize for suggesting a nuclear strike against Iran should be on the table.
Hunter, a member of the House Armed Services Committee and champion of sanctions against Iran, told C-SPAN on Wednesday that an air attack against Iran might be needed to prevent the country from acquiring a nuclear weapon. He said he “sure as hell” hoped it wouldn’t come to that, but a nuclear strike would be better than a ground invasion.
{mosads}“If you have to hit Iran, you do it with tactical nuclear devices and set them back a decade, or two or three,” he said. “I think that’s the way to do it, with a massive aerial bombardment campaign.”
The National Iranian American Council quickly responded by launching a petition on MoveOn.org.
“Rep. Hunter: apologize for your call to bomb Iran with nuclear weapons,” the petition reads. “I don’t want another war. That’s why I oppose your reckless and immoral war rhetoric and support the historic diplomatic efforts underway. You should listen to the American people and support diplomacy and oppose more war and sanctions.”