Politicsiran nuclear program iran nuclear weaponsPolitics

Richard Lugar Backs Obama On Iran

Obama Gets GOP Praise For Thorny Foreign Issue
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In this Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 photo, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel shows an illustration as he describes his concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions during his address to the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters. Netanyahu's use of a cartoon-like drawing of a bomb to convey a message over Iran's disputed nuclear program this week, follows in a long and storied tradition of leaders and diplomats using props to make their points at the United Nations. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

WASHINGTON -- Outgoing Republican Sen Richard Lugar of Indiana offered measured support for President Barack Obama's handling of Iran's nuclear quest, in the face of intense lobbying from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in an interview with Bloomberg television on Friday.

"I understand we want to draw red lines," Lugar said in the interview set to air this weekend. "I understand even some wanting to go to war immediately to stop it where it is and so forth. But even within Israel, the reports are that the debate with Netanyahu is very intense. The military is saying hang on here."

Netanyahu on Thursday went before the United Nations General Assembly and called once again for the international community to draw a clear "red line" on Iran's nuclear energy development that would justify a military attack. At one point in the speech, he used a cartoonish drawing of a bomb and a broad red marker to illustrate his point.

The Obama administration has said repeatedly it is in close consultation with the Israelis, but do not yet believe that an Iranian nuclear weapon is imminent or that a military strike is justified.

But many Republicans, including the presidential candidate Mitt Romney, have leaped on the apparent rift between Obama and Netanyahu over the issue, claiming that Obama had thrown a close ally "under the bus."

Lugar, known as a bridge-building and centrist leader on foreign policy for many years before his defeat this year to a Tea Party-backed candidate, cautioned that any rush to war should take into consideration the inevitable consequences.

"Leaving aside a unilateral attack without American approval or support, the fact is, we're really going to have hell to pay," Lugar told Bloomberg. "They [the Iranians] will come back on us, and the implications for the Israeli people here are very severe."

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Before You Go

Barack Obama's Greatest Hits
Birth Certificate -- "Born In The USA"(01 of10)
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(April 27, 2011) -- The White House released President Barack Obama's "long form" birth certificate, adding documentation to a longstanding discussion over his ability to serve as commander in chief. "We do not have time for this kind of silliness," Obama said. "We have better stuff to do. I have got better stuff to do. We have got big problems to solve." (JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty )
Osama Bin Laden Killed -- "Tonight, Tonight"(02 of10)
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(May 1, 2011) -- In a televised address to the nation, Obama announces that Osama bin Laden is dead. His death was the result of a U.S. operation launched today in Abbottabad, Pakistan, against a compound where bin Laden was believed to be hiding. "[T]oday's achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people," Obama proclaimed. (Photo by Pete Souza/The White House via Getty Images) (credit:Getty )
Debt Ceiling Deal -- "Gold On The Ceiling"(03 of10)
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(Aug. 2, 2011) -- After the Senate passed a bill to raise the debt limit, Obama pleaded with Congress to shift their attention to jobs. "I will urge them to immediately take some steps -- bipartisan, common-sense steps -- that will make a difference; that will create a climate where businesses can hire, where folks have more money in their pockets to spend, where people who are out of work can find good jobs," he said. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images) (credit:Getty )
Don't Ask Don't Tell -- "Don't Stop Believin'"(04 of10)
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(Sept. 20, 2011) -- As the ban on gays serving in the military came to an end, Obama hailed the fresh start, celebrating the fact that "patriotic Americans in uniform will no longer have to lie about who they are in order to serve the country they love." (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty File)
Iraq War To End -- "Homeward Bound"(05 of10)
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(Oct. 21, 2011) -- Obama announced that all U.S. troops will be out of Iraq by 2011, fulfilling a promise that dated back to his campaign. "As a candidate for president, I pledged to bring the war in Iraq to a responsible end," Obama said. "So today I can report that, as promised, the rest of our troops in Iraq will come home by the end of the year." (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty )
Singing Al Green's "Let's Stay Together"(06 of10)
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(Jan. 20, 2012) -- During a fundraiser at Harlem's historic Apollo Theater, Obama delivered a memorable musical message to his donors. With Rev. Al Green in attendance, Obama sang part of Green's hit song "Let's Stay Together," drawing strong applause from the crowd. (credit:CNN)
Singing Robert Johnson's "Sweet Home Chicago" (07 of10)
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(Feb. 21, 2012) -- Days after his Al Green rendition, Obama flexed his vocal chords again with a hometown favorite. The East Room of the White House had its blues fix filled when the president started swinging "Sweet Home Chicago." (credit:PBS)
Gay Marriage -- "Can't Fight This Feeling" (08 of10)
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(May 9, 2012) -- In a sit-down interview with ABC's Robin Roberts, Obama explained his evolution on the issue, affirming his support for gay marriage. "[A]t a certain point I've just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married," he said. (credit:ABC)
Immigration -- "With Arms Wide Open"(09 of10)
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(June 15, 2012) -- The Obama administration addressed America's immigration issue, announcing that it will halt deportations and grant work permits to young individuals eligible for Dream-Act benefits. "They pledge allegiance to our flag," Obama said. "They are Americans in their hearts, in their minds, in every single way but one: on paper."(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty )
Health Care Reform -- "Beautiful Day" (10 of10)
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(June 28, 2012) -- After weeks of speculation that Obama's signature piece of legislation could be overturned, the Supreme Court ruled that the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate is constitutional. "It should be pretty clear that I didn't do this because it's good politics," Obama said. "I did it because it's good for the country." (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty File)
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