New York, NY, March 4, 2012 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today welcomed President Obama's assurances, in his speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, that containment is not an option in confronting the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran.  In response to his call to allow more time for sanctions and diplomacy to work, the League called on the U.S. and its allies to press ahead "now, not later" with crippling new sanctions instead of waiting until early summer to take further action against the Iranian banking and oil sectors.

Robert G. Sugarman, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director issued the following statement:

President Obama was passionate and resolute in recognizing why the world cannot live with a nuclear-armed Iran.  His declaration that containment is not an option of American policy as it relates to Iran was welcome and crystal clear.  His statement that the military option continues to be on the table and one option America is prepared to exercise if called for was particularly reassuring.

The president laid out clearly why countering Iran is a shared focus and goal of both the U.S. and Israel and pledged to put the full weight of American power and tools behind that goal.  He clearly recognized the legitimate and real fear and the sovereign right and responsibility of Israel to protect its people against this gathering threat.

The president still believes that there is time for sanctions and diplomacy to work.  Given this, we call on the U.S. and its allies to press forward now, not later, in implementing a crippling sanctions regime targeting Iran's banking and oil sectors.  The more quickly sanctions are put into place, the clearer it will be how serious we are and how serious the consequences are going to be for the Iranian government. This will underscore President Obama's strong message today. We are hopeful that the president and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can agree in their meeting tomorrow on a timetable, redlines, and strategy for going forward.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.