Obama: "Too Much Loose Talk Of War" With Iran

Warns “bluster” is playing to Iranian interests by driving up the price of oil.

US President Barack Obama speaks during a conservation event at the Department of the Interior on March 2, 2012 in Washington.

Image by MANDEL NGAN / Getty Images

President Barack Obama argued that “there is too much loose talk of war” with Iran during a speech to the American Israel Political Action Committee Policy Conference, warning that “bluster” is playing to Iranian interests.

From Obama’s prepared remarks:

Already, there is too much loose talk of war. Over the last few weeks, such talk has only benefited the Iranian government, by driving up the price of oil, which they depend upon to fund their nuclear program. For the sake of Israel’s security, America’s security, and the peace and security of the world, now is not the time for bluster; now is the time to let our increased pressure sink in, and to sustain the broad international coalition that we have built. Now is the time to heed that timeless advice from Teddy Roosevelt: speak softly, but carry a big stick. As we do, rest assured that the Iranian government will know our resolve, and that our coordination with Israel will continue.

Obama reiterated his pledge to keep all options on the table — including military action — to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear capability, if they do not bow to international sanctions.

We all prefer to resolve this issue diplomatically. Having said that, Iran’s leaders should have no doubt about the resolve of the United States, just as they should not doubt Israel’s sovereign right to make its own decisions about what is required to meet its security needs. I have said that when it comes to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, I will take no options off the table, and I mean what I say. That includes all elements of American power. A political effort aimed at isolating Iran; a diplomatic effort to sustain our coalition and ensure that the Iranian program is monitored; an economic effort to impose crippling sanctions; and, yes, a military effort to be prepared for any contingency.