Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton cautioned President George W. Bush on Wednesday that he lacks the legal authority to launch military action against Iran without first obtaining congressional approval. Speaking on the Senate floor, she argued that neither the 2001 resolution passed after the September 11 attacks nor the 2002 Iraq war authorization could serve as a legal basis for striking Iran.
Clinton, a leading contender for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, had supported the 2002 Iraq war vote and has declined to describe that vote as an error despite pressure from anti-war members of her party.
Her remarks followed Bush's claim that Iran's Revolutionary Guards were supplying sophisticated bombs to insurgents attacking US troops in Iraq, though he acknowledged uncertainty about whether Iran's leadership had ordered the transfers. Bush also said diplomatic efforts on Tehran's nuclear program were making "good progress" toward a peaceful resolution.
Concerns about a potential military confrontation have grown amid the weapons allegations and the ongoing dispute over Iran's nuclear activities. Tehran maintains its nuclear program serves only civilian energy purposes, while Western governments suspect it is aimed at developing weapons. Separately, a bipartisan group of more than 10 House members introduced legislation last month requiring White House consultation with Congress before any attack on Iran.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in February 2007, in its own words.