More than 75 senators signed a letter to the Obama administration calling for tougher action in preventing a nuclear Iran, including reinforcing the credibility of potential U.S. military action.
"Iran needs to understand that the time for diplomacy is nearing its end," reads the letter, which was spearheaded by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) and Robert Menendez (D., N.J.).
The letter, which had been circulating last week on Capitol Hill as reported by the Washington Free Beacon, emphasizes tougher sanctions and the potential for military action.
Iran could begin producing weapons-grade plutonium by this time next year, according to U.S. and European officials, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.
Western governments have been more focused in recent years on Iran's uranium-enrichment efforts, but officials are now concerned about the development of a heavy-water nuclear reactor in Iran. It is easier to attack a heavy-water reactor than the uranium development efforts, which are located underground.
Newly elected Hassan Rowhani was sworn in as Iran's president over the weekend, after drawing international criticism last week for referring to Israel as a "wound" in a speech.
