WASHINGTON, DC - Republican Congressman Glenn Grothman said on Monday that US President Donald Trump should pursue economic measures rather than military actions to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
"I think President Trump just has to weigh in economically," Grothman told Rudaw in response to a question about what Washington should do to stop Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
"I know there's some people who want to get involved militarily. We don't want to do that. On the other hand... we have enough countries already with nuclear weapons, and so many a matter of time, maybe ten years, maybe 30 years in which you wake up, and, you know, all of a sudden bet Jerusalem or Tel Aviv or New York or Miami. We have a catastrophe," he warned.
Under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear enrichment program for much-needed relief from crippling sanctions.
But the deal began unraveling in 2018 when Trump, during his first term in office, unilaterally withdrew and imposed biting sanctions on the Islamic republic, which in turn began rolling back on its nuclear commitments.
Since April 17, the US and Iran have been engaged in new indirect talks. Axios reported on Sunday that “U.S. and Iranian negotiators are expected to meet later this week for the fourth round of nuclear talks.” However, amid the face-paced developments and escalating tensions in the region, it is unclear how these talks will conclude.
Regarding the ongoing talks between Washington and Tehran, Grothman said that he is "not privy to the things going behind the scenes," noting that "it sure would be troublesome if Iran, which is also not a picture of stability, join the club [countries with nuclear weapons]."
