September 6, 2007 – New York – The American Jewish Committee is urging the UN Security Council to take additional measures to contain Iran’s quest for nuclear weapons.

“Iran has now defied three Security Council resolutions,” wrote AJC President Richard Sideman and Executive Director David A. Harris in a letter to the foreign ministers of all member states currently serving on the Security Council.

“In view of Iran’s continuing intransigence, and the mounting threat it poses to international peace and security, we respectfully call upon your government, as a member of the Security Council, to support further measures regarding Iran in the Council,” stated the AJC letter.

AJC has long expressed deep concern about Iran’s nuclear program, and is speaking out again following the announcement over the weekend by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that his country is now in possession of 3,000 active centrifuges to enrich uranium, which places Iran in a position to create an atom bomb.

The full text of the AJC letter follows:

Your Excellency:

We are writing to express, once again, the American Jewish Committee’s profound concern over the threat that Iran’s nuclear program poses to global peace and security.

On September 2, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced that his country is now in possession of 3,000 active centrifuges to enrich uranium, confirming widely held views that Iran is seeking a nuclear weapons capability.  The New York Times, citing nuclear experts, reports that the number 3,000 is significant: If Iran can spin that many centrifuges non-stop for a year, it could make enough enriched uranium for a single atom bomb.

As you know, the Security Council to date has adopted three resolutions regarding Iran’s nuclear program, all demanding that Iran suspend without further delay “all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development,” and provide information verifying the non-diversion of its declared nuclear material. President Ahmadinejad’s recent announcement clearly violates these resolutions, thus directly challenging the authority of the Security Council, as well as the international non-proliferation regime.

Iranian leaders make no secret of their contempt for Security Council resolutions, and openly threaten Council members, as well as other nations.  On September 3, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, said “Iran will defeat these drunken and arrogant powers,” referring to Western and other countries that demand Tehran comply with its international obligations.

Iran has now defied three Security Council resolutions, all adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. In view of Iran’s continuing intransigence, and the mounting threat it poses to international peace and security, we respectfully call upon your government, as a member of the Security Council, to support further measures regarding Iran in the Council. Such measures would not preclude a diplomatic solution. On the contrary, they would enhance the chances of such a solution, as they will demonstrate to the Iranian leadership that the international community remains united and firm in its determination that Iran fulfill it obligations and cease its provocative quest for nuclear weapons capability.

Respectfully,

Richard J. Sideman, President

David A. Harris, Executive Director