Following discussions on international nuclear programs earlier this week in Washington, D.C., B’nai B’rith International strongly supports the 364 representatives and 78 senators who signed letters to President Obama urging unilateral “crippling sanctions” on Iran in light of the country’s nuclear program. B’nai B’rith took a leading role in engaging multiple senators and representatives, impressing upon them the importance of taking a strong stance against a nuclear Tehran regime.

The letters, which were presented by Reps. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) and Mike Pence (R-Ind.) in the House of Representatives and Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) in the Senate, request United States sanctions without waiting for United Nations approval or agreement.

“We are writing you out of concern that Iran is growing ever closer to nuclear weapons capability, a fact demanding immediate action on the part of the United States,” the letter addressed to Obama reads. “We want to assure you of a strong bipartisan support for the tough and decisive measures that we hope you will undertake to address this grave problem.”

With an eye toward Middle East negotiations, the letter states that a nuclear Iran “would undercut prospects for peace between Israel and her neighbors, with emboldened Iranian surrogates enjoying the strategic backing of an Iranian nuclear umbrella. And it would pose an existential threat to the State of Israel.”

“It is imperative that we support a movement that would have the United States stand up against Iran,” B’nai B’rith International President Dennis W. Glick said. “The threat that a nuclear Iran poses against both the United States and Israel is certainly to be taken seriously. We support the letters our elected officials have written and hope that President Obama heeds their requests.”

“The reality is that the United States needs to hold Iran accountable for the choices it has made and continues to make,” B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said. “We are proud that senators and representatives from both sides of the aisle were able to come together and appeal to the president for swift and serious sanctions. Rather than wait for the United Nations to deliberate on the issue, we support Congress in its call for unilateral action against Iran.”