State of Connecticut Archives: on War & Peace

Chris Murphy: Economic sanctions as main tactic against Iran

Bysiewicz said war in Iran should only be used "as a last resort," in talks to stop the country's nuclear weapons plan. Murphy said he thinks Iranians should "know it's always on the table. But both agreed that economic sanctions should be the United States' main tactic.

"The embargo that President Obama has worked out, and that the Foreign Affairs committee has supported, will essentially stop the Iranians from being able to find marketplaces for their oil," said Murphy, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. "That brings them to the table."

Chris Murphy: Ending Iraq & Afghan wars saves $2B per week

Chris Murphy: Stark differences with Lieberman about the Iraq War

Linda McMahon: Support sanctions on Iran; keep all options on table

BLUMENTHAL: I support strengthening the current structure of sanctions on Iran, until it relinquishes its aspirations for nuclear weapons.

McMAHON: The first, and most important, thing we must do is prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. The CIA has already declared that Iran is capable of producing nuclear weapons within the next few years. While I support building strong international support for sanctions, we cannot wait for the United Nations to enact further restrictions that Iran will simply ignore. I do support the enactment of the recent sanctions by the US and the European Union on Iran. However, with that in mind, I believe the US cannot allow those who would oppose or maliciously delay sanctions dictate the content or the timing of our efforts. The US should continue to exert pressure and press for hard sanctions against Iran until the threat is neutralized. All options in dealing with Iran must remain on the table.

Matthew Corey: Destroy ISIS; disallow North Korean & Iranian nukes

Richard Blumenthal: Strengthen sanctions on Iran, adding an arms embargo

BLUMENTHAL: The current political leadership in Tehran has repeatedly demonstrated antipathy toward basic human rights, and an unyielding animosity toward Israel. I support strengthening the current structure of sanctions on Iran, and work to increase the pressure on the Iranian regime until it relinquishes its aspirations for nuclear weapons. Some of the actions I would support include gaining international support for an arms embargo, targeted travel bans, freezing of assets, and sanctions designed to impede the flow of refined petroleum products into Iran.

McMAHON: The first, and most important, thing we must do is prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. The US should continue to exert pressure and press for hard sanctions against Iran until the threat is neutralized. All options in dealing with Iran must remain on the table.

Susan Bysiewicz: War only as a last resort against Iran

Susan Bysiewicz: We should get troops out of Afghanistan yesterday

Oakes said, "We've got to bring them home before one more person dies in Afghanistan. Period."

Candidates backed continued sanctions on Iran, with only Murphy adding military action should remain on the table.