Donilon: Iran Must Continue To Be Pressured To Cease Pursuit Of Nuclear Weapons

By Adrianna McGinley

National Security Advisor Tom Donilon praised the Obama administration for taking strong action to successfully isolate Iran, increasing pressure on the nation to halt its nuclear weapons program.

In an address at the Brookings Institution Tuesday, Donilon said the pressure on Iran has drastically increased over the past three years because of clear policy from the White House and increasing support from the international community, a key factor that, he says, was missing not long ago.

“Many in the world had even begun to give Iran the benefit of the doubt,” Donilon said. “[They] blamed the United States for tensions over Iran’s nuclear program, thereby allowing Iran to escape accountability for its intransigence. This was the dangerous dynamic that President Obama was determined to reverse.”

Donilon credited increased sanctions and strengthened defense partnerships for slowing Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons, but said that the pressure must continue.

“The Iranian government has repeatedly rejected the opportunity for credible dialogue and it also rejected substantial economic, political, and scientific incentives,” Donilon said. “It has forged ahead with its nuclear program.  It has ignored its commitments.  It has continued to defy United Nations Security Council resolutions.”

Donilon said the isolation of Iran and its economic instability has put the Iranian regime in danger of facing Arab Spring style uprisings other nations in the region have experienced, something he says the U.S. fully supports.

“We will continue to deepen Iran’s isolation, regionally and globally,” Donilon committed. “Even as the door to diplomacy remains open, we will take no option off the table.  For our focus and purpose are clear.  Pressure is a means not an end, and our policy is firm.  We are determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.”