Washington: The United States is determined
to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, President Barack Obama, said adding that no option is off the table against Tehran as the tension between the two nation has
increased in recent weeks.
"Let there be no doubt: America is determined to prevent
Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, and I will take no options
off the table to achieve that goal," Obama said in his State
of the Union address to the Congress.
Recent weeks has seen an increased tension between the
two countries.
Obama, at the same time, noted that a peaceful resolution
of this issue is still possible.
"A peaceful resolution of this issue is still possible,
and far better, and if Iran changes course and meets its
obligations, it can rejoin the community of nations," he said.
The President said his administration will safeguard the
US' own security against those who threaten its citizens,
friends, and interests.
"Look at Iran. Through the power of our diplomacy, a
world that was once divided about how to deal with Iran's
nuclear program now stands as one," he said.
"The regime is more isolated than ever before; its
leaders are faced with crippling sanctions, and as long as they shirk their responsibilities, this pressure will not relent," the US President said.
Referring to the Arab spring in his speech, Obama said "as the tide of war recedes, a wave of change has washed
across the Middle East and North Africa, from Tunis to Cairo;
from Sana'a to Tripoli. A year ago, Gaddafi was one of the
world's longest-serving dictators a murderer with American
blood on his hands. Today, he is gone."
"And in Syria, I have no doubt that the Assad regime will
soon discover that the forces of change can't be reversed, and
that human dignity can't be denied," Obama said referring to
the developments in Syria.
"How this incredible transformation will end remains uncertain. But we have a huge stake in the outcome. And while
it is ultimately up to the people of the region to decide
their fate, we will advocate for those values that have served
our own country so well. We will stand against violence and
intimidation," he said.
"We will stand for the rights and dignity of all human
beings men and women; Christians, Muslims, and Jews. We will
support policies that lead to strong and stable democracies and open markets, because tyranny is no match for liberty,"
Obama said.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, January 25, 2012, 09:22