(MYSTIC) - Rob Simmons, candidate for US Senate, made the following statement to the news that Iran has produced its first batch of enriched uranium:

"As someone who spent years in the CIA working to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, yesterday's news that Iran has successfully enriched uranium is extremely troubling, and adds urgency to the need to confront this dangerous regime.  While the President is hoping the United Nations might approve new and strong economic sanctions against Iran, the United States and our allies must be prepared to enact our own sanctions unilaterally.

"Iran's rogue regime is a state-sponsor of terror, threatens the United States and Israel, and has brutally suppressed the democratic will of its own people. A nuclear-armed Iran would pose a tremendous threat to regional stability and to the United States itself, and, as Senator Lieberman recently stated, the U.S must reserve all options to ensure that never happens, including being prepared for potential military action if all else fails.

"Iran has proven it has no use for handshakes and meetings except as a stalling tactic, and will only respond to tough action. This news only reinforces that fact. I sincerely hope that the United Nations will take serious and immediate action, a step that will help restore some level of confidence in its efficacy.  But if it does not, America and our allies must be prepared to act alone."

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