Sen. Graham: “Israel” ‘Apoplectic’ about US Approach on Iran

Local Editor

US Senator Lindsey Graham has warned about a possible easing of economic sanctions against Iran, saying "Israel" is "apoplectic" about the Obama administration's approach.

Graham, a hawkish Republican from South Carolina who has repeatedly called for military strikes on Iran, said Sunday that lifting sanctions would send the wrong message to Israel and other US allies in the region.

He said on CNN's "State of the Union "The "Israelis" are apoplectic about what we're doing,"." "I've never
been more worried about the Obama administration's approach to the Middle East than I am now."

The White House offered a "very modest sanctions relief" as Iran and the six major world powers-- the US, Britain France, China, Russia and Germany-- engaged in talks over Iran's nuclear energy program in Geneva, Switzerland over the weekend.

Sen. Graham claimed the sanctions should be kept in place, and coupled with the threat of military force, to compel Iran to stop its uranium enrichment activities.

"If it ends with anything less, the world will regret this," Graham noted. "My fear is that we're going to end up creating a North Korea kind of situation in the Middle East."

"We believe, the Congress believes, that sanctions along with the threat of credible military force by the United States and Israel have gotten us to this point," Graham said. "If you back off now, you're sending the worst possible signals. But these new round of sanctions would basically be waived if the Iranians do the right thing."

The talks ended inconclusively on Sunday when France rejected a list of demands on Iran, saying they were too generous to result in an easing of sanctions. More negotiating sessions are scheduled for November 20.

Source: Politico