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US senator threatens Iran with war

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina)

Thu Jul 25, 2013 5:20PM GMT

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A US Senator has threatened the Iranian nation with war, saying he would introduce a resolution to authorize “the use of military force” against the Islamic Republic.

At a meeting held by the Christians United for Israel organization on Tuesday, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) said he would propose a resolution by October and would ask Congress to authorize war with Iran.

Graham’s threat comes as 118 members of the US House of Representatives, 103 Democrats and 15 Republicans, signed a letter last week calling on US President Barack Obama to engage in talks with Tehran.

“We urge you to pursue the potential opportunity presented by Iran's recent presidential election by reinvigorating US efforts to secure a negotiated nuclear agreement,” US congressmen told Obama in the letter.

The US and Iran have had no formal diplomatic relations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

American lawmakers’ talks for negotiations with Iran follow a new round of sanctions, ordered by Obama on July 1, against Tehran, targeting the Iranian currency, the rial, and the country’s auto industry.

Moreover, the Associated Press reported on Tuesday that both chambers of US Congress are considering a new series of sanctions against the Persian country, targeting the nation’s mining and construction sectors as well as oil industry.

Tehran has repeatedly rejected US claims that its nuclear activities may seek military purposes, and accused Washington of playing politics in an attempt to deprive the Iranian nation from its right, which is to achieve civil nuclear technology.

In his latest reaction toward possible talks with the US, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Aytollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has said he is skeptical about US honesty in negotiations.

Iran as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency has the right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

ISH/ARA

Opposition leader shot dead in Tunisia

Mohamed al-Brahmi, leader of the Tunisia's People Movement party (file photo)

Unidentified gunmen have shot and killed the prominent Tunisian opposition leader and member of parliament, Mohamed al-Brahmi, in front of his house in the city of Tunis, security sources say.


Interior Ministry spokesman Mohammed Ali Aroui said gunmen shot dead Brahmi, who leads the leftist People Movement party, outside his house Thursday morning. 

Brahmi, 58, was in his car outside his home when gunmen fired several shots at him, Aroui added. 

Thousands of angry supporters of the slain opposition member reportedly poured onto the streets of Tunis and other cities to protest the assassination. The protesters gathered in front of the Ministry of Interior, demanding the closure of parliament. 

The slain leader held a seat in the assembly tasked with writing the new constitution. 

This is the first killing of an opposition politician since leftist Chokri Belaid was assassinated in February, triggering a political crisis in the North African country. 

The government has blamed Belaid's assassination on extremists. 

Tunisia, the birthplace of pro-democracy protests across North Africa and the Middle East, is struggling with a democratic changeover after the overthrow of its dictator in 2011. 

The moderate ruling party Ennahda was elected following the ouster of former dictator, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, in January 2011. 

Tunisia has seen numerous clashes between the authorities and extremist groups over the past few months. 

JR/KA