Iran: Stop the Next War Now
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We need your help to stop the next war now. The battlefield for a U.S.-Iran war is being prepared, but, with your help, we can still prevent an all-out war.
As of July 8, 221 representatives in Congress are on record supporting a U.S. partial land, sea, and air blockade of Iran. A blockade, even a partial one, is an act of war. Find out if your representative is a cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 362.
The U.S. government's policy toward Iran is already primarily based on threats and sanctions rather than direct, unconditional diplomatic negotiations. This resolution's inflammatory approach continues that trend and seems designed to push Iran to develop a nuclear weapon deterrent, undermining international efforts to keep Iran from becoming a nuclear power.
Take Action
If your representative has cosponsored the Iran sanctions and blockade legislation, urge your representative to take her or his name off of the bill. If your representative and several others withdraw their support for this dangerous bill, Congress may be persuaded to abandon it. Ask that he or she oppose a House vote on H. Con. Res 362.
If your representative has not cosponsored the Iran sanctions and blockade legislation, then please thank your representative and urge her or him to resist requests to cosponsor the bill. Ask that he or she oppose a House vote on H. Con. Res. 362.
More Information
War is not the answer. Threatening war with Iran has not resolved the current dispute between the United States and Iran over nuclear policy. Talking might. Five former secretaries of state have urged the United States to open a dialogue with Iran to find common ground and resolve differences. Business groups such as USA*Engage have argued that legislation calling for sanctions on Iran, rather than talks, is counterproductive.
Your representative may try to claim that this bill is an alternative to war, designed to force Iran to the negotiating table. Nothing could be further from the truth. Insiders in Washington and astute investigative reporters talk about this bill as part of "preparing the battlefield." If your member cosponsors this bill, then she or he has signed on to war with Iran.
Members of Congress, perhaps because they don't have enough information, have been signing onto this legislation in large numbers. In the last several weeks, 103 House Democrats and 118 Republicans have agreed to cosponsor this resolution, which demands that President Bush "initiate an international effort" to prohibit "the export to Iran of all refined petroleum products" and impose "stringent inspection requirements on all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains, and cargo entering or departing Iran."
Amid current reports that Congress has approved, at the administration's request, a major escalation in funds for secret, lethal military and political actions in Iran, approval of the resolution would make military confrontation and an escalation of the current conflict even more likely.
FCNL sent a letter to Congress opposing the Iran sanctions and blockade legislation. Read the letter.
Peaceful prevention of deadly conflict between the U.S. and Iran is possible, but you will have to encourage your representative to stop the next war now. Please contact your congressperson today.
Contact your members of Congress through FCNL's web site.
Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121
Sen. ________
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Rep. ________
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
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