GOP’s Hunter blasted for talking about nuking Iran

An American-Iranian group that favors talks with Tehran has launched a petition calling on Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) to apologize for suggesting a nuclear strike against Iran should be on the table.

Hunter, a member of the House Armed Services Committee and champion of sanctions against Iran, told C-SPAN on Wednesday that an air attack against Iran might be needed to prevent the country from acquiring a nuclear weapon. He said he “sure as hell” hoped it wouldn’t come to that, but a nuclear strike would be better than a ground invasion. [WATCH VIDEO]

{mosads}“If you have to hit Iran, you do it with tactical nuclear devices and set them back a decade, or two or three,” he said. “I think that’s the way to do it, with a massive aerial bombardment campaign.”

The National Iranian American Council quickly responded by launching a petition on MoveOn.org.

“Rep. Hunter: apologize for your call to bomb Iran with nuclear weapons,” the petition reads. “I don’t want another war. That’s why I oppose your reckless and immoral war rhetoric and support the historic diplomatic efforts underway. You should listen to the American people and support diplomacy and oppose more war and sanctions.”

The council is headed by Trita Parsi, an Iranian born American academic who has been briefing Democrats opposed to doubling down on sanctions amid diplomatic talks on the country’s nuclear program.

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