Scott Demands Censure of Iran for Building Up Nuclear Capabilities

A nuclear Iran remains a nightmare scenario for much of the world, Israel in particular. Despite this, little international action has worked against the Islamist regime. Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Tim Scott (R-SC) wrote a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken demanding the Biden Administration censure the Iranian regime ahead of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), warning, "The stakes could not be higher."

Evidence suggests Iran has tripled its nuclear enrichment output by the end of 2023, creating a large amount of 60% pure uranium. 90% purity is considered weapons-grade, and the Iranians are dangerously close to that target number. 

Such a threat is compounded by Iran's existence as the most prolific state sponsor of terrorism in the world, arming and funding groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and other insurgents.

"In recent months, the Iranian regime has utilized its proxy network to disrupt global commerce and threaten our armed forces, while simultaneously increasing its stockpile of enriched uranium. The United States must demonstrate leadership at the IAEA and encourage the international community to uphold its non-proliferation standards. The stakes could not be higher," as Sen. Scott wrote in the letter.

As a result, the letter called for " the U.S. delegation at the IAEA to push for Iran’s nuclear program to be formally referred to the United Nations Security Council for review," and warned that any decision otherwise would only encourage Iran to push the envelope further.

In December, Sen. Scott and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) cosponsored a bill that would prevent the renegotiation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal. The Iran-China Accountability Act would prevent the Iranian regime from going forward with its nuclear program unless it absconded from funding terrorism and certain economic and security relationships with China.

The Act was on top of an October letter by Scott and Sen. Rubio demanding further sanctions against Iran after the October 7th attacks in Israel perpetrated by Hamas, which Iran likely helped coordinate.