Send Iran, and Congress, a peaceful message

Imagine waking up one day to learn that nuclear war has enveloped the Middle East. Iran has launched several nuclear weapons at Israel. Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem no longer exist, and the international community grapples with the guilt of having done nothing to prevent this conflict. That is the worst-case scenario, but such a situation can be prevented. The international community can use peaceful means -economic, diplomatic, and political - to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. If Iran does acquire a nuclear weapon, it would be a credible threat to the U.S., Europe and Israel, since Iran told the world last year that it intends to 'wipe Israel off the face of the map.' How much time until Iran can produce nuclear warheads? That is the question at hand. In fact, time is running out: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says Iran may already be enriching uranium at the level necessary to build nuclear bombs. Enforcing current U.N. Sanctions -- as well as imposing further sanctions, if necessary --are what the U.S. and its allies can do to avoid a devastating conflict that would likely involve a nuclear attack. If Iran continues to develop nuclear weaponry, the international community should strengthen current sanctions by adopting a ban on arms sales, foreign investment and export credit to Iran, while making it illegal to purchase Iranian oil. Unilaterally, the U.S. can pass the Iran Counter-Proliferation Act, which seeks to close loopholes in existing sanctions laws, strengthen U.S. tools to cut off funds to Iran's nuclear program, and prohibit U.S. nuclear cooperation with those aiding Iran's atomic efforts. To further help change the course for Iran, the international community must exhaust every tool - economic, diplomatic, and political - to isolate Iran. Such actions send a peaceful message to Iran's leaders that nuclear aggression is in the best interest of no one. Please write to your members of congress.

--Reuben A. Ingber, founder of the Great Danes for Israel, a bi-partisan pro-Israel group on campus.