Negotiating with Iran: Rep. Pete Hoekstra

Today on Secure Freedom Radio Frank Gaffney has a conversation with Rep. Pete Hoekstra (MI-2nd), former Chairman and current ranking member of the House Select Committee on Intelligence about Iran. They discussed the effect of the new financial sanctions enacted by Congress and the National Intelligence Estimate. “I think we’re going to find that the last NIE that came out in 2007-2008 was fundamentally flawed.” Hoekstra said after suggesting that Iran is likely moving full steam ahead with its nuclear weapons program.”

Later both Frank and he agreed that Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon could come at any time and with little surprise. Critical of current policies on Iran Hoekstra said, “These people don’t need engagement and negotiations, they only take advantage of it. They’re getting awfully close to having nuclear capabilities. We need to be much more aggressive.”

While discussing the new sanctions on Iran and whether the Obama administration will chose to try to reopen negotiations, Hoekstra said, “The people have to feel it, the leadership has to feel it. This is not about negotiations. This is about unilateral concessions coming out of Iran.” He makes the important point that negotiations are not an end. They are a means and they have not worked. The end entails Iran ceasing its nuclear development.