 , This content was originally published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and is reprinted with permission.
US politicians and experts at a House Foreign Affairs Committee receiving underscored a rare bipartisan consensus — preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons as a top concern.
But, units remain over how much Washington should go in applying strain versus pursuing politics.
Republican lawmakers clearly supported the Donald Trump administration’s determination to restore the “maximum force” campaign that defined his Iran policy during his first term as US leader.
” The maximum pressure campaign devastated Iran’s economy and denied it vital tools. A nuclear Iran is not an option”, Subcommittee Chairman Mike Lawler ( Republican-New York ) said on April 1.
Democratic politicians also acknowledged the risk posed by Iran but stressed the importance of politics.
” There is bipartisan knowledge of the threat posed by Iran as the country’s foremost state sponsor of terrorism. We must combine pressure with diplomatic engagement”, Ranking Member Gregory Meeks ( Democratic-New York ) said.
Three expert testimony provided evidence on the problems posed by Iran and the possible consequences of US techniques.
Norman Roule, a senior consultant at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, warned that Iran is advancing its atomic programme and may create a crossbow within weeks if left unchecked.
” Iran is closer than ever to producing a nuclear tool”, Roule warned, adding that military attacks was simply postpone its software. He called for a complete approach that combines restrictions, military preparation, and politics.
Claire Jungman of United Against Nuclear Iran ( UANI ) highlighted the economic toll that sanctions have taken on the country, noting that its economy remains fragile due to inflation and currency devaluation.
She stressed the importance of targeting Iran’s oil commerce with China in contravention of US restrictions and leveraging its economical threats to weaken its support for local intermediaries like the US-designated Palestinian terrorist group Hezbollah.
Dana Stroul of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy noted that military attacks could escalate into broader issue and urged Washington to set force strategies with strong politics.
She added that” the columns of Iran’s protection strategy”, including its nuclear programme, proxy system, and arsenal of missiles and drones, are “more vulnerable now than ever”.
Trump has  , threatened , to bomb Iran if it fails to reach a deal with Washington. Tehran has dismissed the threat, describing it as an “affront” to peace and security.
Iran last week , delivered , a formal response to Trump’s letter proposing direct talks to reach a new nuclear deal. Tehran has dismissed direct negotiations as long as the “maximum pressure” campaign is in effect.
Axios , reports , that the White House is” seriously considering” Iran’s proposal for indirect talks while boosting its military presence in the Middle East.
Addressing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Committee Chairman Brian Mast ( Republican-Florida )  , said , Trump” will work with you to peacefully end” Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
” Or, President Trump will destroy your nuclear weapons and ballistic missile program. You get to choose the remedy”, he said.
Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful, but there are growing calls in Iran to , weaponize , it as a form of deterrence against the United States and Israel.
Later on April 2, the Trump administration announced sanctions against individuals and companies it claims are helping the Iranian-backed Houthis, a rebel group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States.
The Houthis, formally known as the Ansarallah movement, seized power in Yemen in 2014 by toppling the internationally recognized, Saudi-backed government. The Trump administration last month launched strikes against Houthis rebels, who have been target shipping in the Red Sea, a crucial transportation corridor.
The Trump administration sanctioned two Russia-based Afghan brothers who assisted an Iran-based financier l in orchestrating shipments of stolen Ukrainian grain from Crimea to Yemen.
It also blocked eight digital asset wallets used by the Houthis to transfer funds associated with the group’s activities.
