Lieberman: U.S. could use military force against Iran

One of Israel’s staunchest defenders in Congress said Wednesday the U.S. could use military force against their mutual foe Iran “if we must.”

Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) met with Defense Minister Ehud Barak in Jersualem. The Connecticut senator made his comments after the meeting. 

Lieberman said the United States would counter Iran’s nuclear ambitions ”through diplomatic efforts and economic sanctions if we can, but through military action if we must,” the Jerusalem Post reported. 

Lieberman’s comments come after President Barack Obama signed a new round of sanctions targeted at Iran’s nuclear program that received broad support from both parties in Congress.

The United States and Israel both view Iran as a threat due to its nuclear ambitions. Previous rounds of sanctions have been enacted but have not caused Iran to give up its nuclear program, which many nations say is being used to develop a weapon.

Obama has not taken military action off the table, but his public statements have focused primarily on stopping Iran’s nuclear ambitions through peaceful means. 

Iran says it wants to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. But President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has made threatening comments to the United States and has said he wants to wipe Israel off the map.

The three senators are traveling in the Middle East during the July 4 recess.

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