Romney: Nuclear Iran "unacceptable"

(CBS News) There's not much optimism in Syria, where there is growing concern that the dictatorship's stockpiles of chemical weapons could get loose in the chaos of the civil war there. CBS News asked presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney what he would do as commander-in-chief in Syria and Iran.

CBS News interviewed Romney in Birmingham, Mich. on Friday while he was visiting the state with his wife Ann.

Romney says "birther" joke wasn't a swipe at Obama

Scott Pelley: Is it worth going to war to stop an Iranian nuclear weapon?

Mitt Romney: We certainly have to maintain all options that we have. But Iran becoming nuclear and potentially providing fissile material to Hezbollah or other of the groups that are associated with that nation, the potential of those groups bring that fissile material to our continent even to the United States, that's unacceptable. No question in my view that we can put all matter of pressure upon the regime that's there, but they have to also know that a military option is one which we would be willing to consider if they do not take action to dissuade a course towards nuclearization.

Scott Pelley: A Romney administration would not allow a nuclear weapon?

Mitt Romney: It's unacceptable for this nation to have Iran to become nuclear, have a nuclear weapon.

Scott Pelley: Would you send U.S. ground troops into Syria to secure lose chemical weapons?

Mitt Romney: I think we have to also be ready to take whatever action is necessary to assure that we do not have any kind of weapons of mass destruction falling into the hands terrorists. And whether that requires troops or whether that requires other action by our friends and allies there -- Turkey is very involved, Saudi Arabia is -- but of course, we have to retain the option to protect ourselves and our friends from weapons of mass destruction.

Scott Pelley: What sort of threat do the Syrian chemical weapons pose?

Mitt Romney: Well, there's a wide array of potential threats, but clearly the concern would be that some terrorist group -- whether Hamas, Hezbollah, al Qaeda or others -- would receive the capacity to carry out a mass destruction, mass death event, and therefore, America has to be ready whether it's there or anywhere else in the world.

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee also touched on some controversial comments he jokingly made about the president's citizenship status, commenting that no one has to see his birth certificate. Romney explained to CBS News that he made the joke because both he and his wife were born in Detroit and "a little humor always goes a long way." He emphasized that it was not a jab at President Obama, and he believes that Obama was born in the United States.

To hear more of Romney's comments on the issue, watch the video below:

CBS News will have more of the interview with Mitt and Ann Romney interview next week as "CBS Evening News" broadcasts live from the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla.

[jeanpierre4]

A nuclear Iran is a certain threat to the US, not just Israel.

One of the earliest actions of the Islamic Republic of Iran after taking over the US embassy and making hostages out of diplomats was the

April 1983 U.S. Embassy bombingThe 1983 Beirut barracks bombing that killed 241 U.S. marines, 58 French paratroopers and 6 civilians at the US and French barracks in Beirut

A nuclear Iran would end the existence of all US allies in the region including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrein, and the UAE..

This would mean gas prices would triple and the US economy goes down the drain.

That is why China, France, the UK, Russia, and the US are opposed to a nuclear Iran. You could never get these powers to agree on anything that just concerned Israel's interests.

Is war necessary?

President Obama could very possibly convince Iran that he is serious when he says "all options are on the table."

I don't think they believe him now as he has been sending a mixed message with different elements of his cabinet.

But any American president realizes that a nuclear Iran is different than a nuclear North Korea or Pakistan. Both of those countries are ruled by oligarchs that are very wealthy and comfortable, and don't want to ever make war with the US.

Iran, on the other hand, is ruled by true believers, one of whose core beliefs is of an end-time doomsday salvation.

A nuclear 911 on America would make 911 look like a bad hair day.

[gabenow]

Jeremy Bernstein of the New Yorker wrote an interesting e-single on Iran's developing nuclear program. Bernstein is a physicist, but it is more of a history of how we ended up in this situation. Worth reading, for those interested: http://******/RvCmG

[DeWayneE]

The greatest concern in 2012 elections is not the Excutive that will make no difference either way, it is absolutely imperative that Americans vote as many "Dem/Gop" hierarchy out of Office as possible (in as many elections as needed).
It is the US Congress (and Supreme Court) that has sold us out, we need focus entirely in voting into Office Constitutionalist, Federalist, or any other Third Party that are radically dedicated to US citizens, returning the Constitution, Fed-Law, and perhaps regain the respect of the world by ending elite Empire policies.

[DeWayneE]

So far Romney has spoken positively about entering US military into the affairs of the nation of Syria, and sided with the Israel government, that (he) believes military action against Iran may be needed.
For these two reasons alone Romney is dangerous and should not be considered for Presidency. The same for many other reasons can be said for Obama, leaving only Ron Paul that even comes close to what America needs many decades ago.

[Solarrays247]

by mississippigirl2012 August 25, 2012 1:36 PM EDT
Why are the GOP so obsessed with War? They don't want to pay for or send their boys to fight but yet they want war. Not one of Mitt boy are in the military but he has been talking War with Iran since the primaries. How are we going to pay for another war Mitt.
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I say we send Mittens and all the other old war mongering coots off to fight in their own wars!

They've killed enough of our young men and women on all their phony wars, starting with the Vietnam War. So let them fight this time, and feed their military industrial machine! What say you?

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

annnnd - ping again. CBS, fix your boards!

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

ping

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

I only point out your spelling as it illustrates your general lack of interest in education, earth.

Regardless, you are FINE with spending us broke for military action on the behalf of Israel.

You may be a Republican shill, and a shill for Israel, but you are NO conservative, from any fiscal standpoint.

[earth5695]

I told you English is my 4th language but again you casually don't mention it.

Regardless you are Fine with spending us broke for defending Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states even though they have armed forces and sell oil for $ 100 a barrel.

You may be a Liberal shill , and a shill for Islamists but you are no conservative, from any point whatsoever.

Your reply will be what does this have to do with Iran and the question in return what does Israel then have to do with Iran if Iran threatens the entire Middle East.

Thanks again Chuckles.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

What's really telling is that you have no problem at all lying about those you debate against!

And your "4th language"??? LMAO!! BS.

[earth5695]

by Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals August 25, 2012 1:29 PM EDT
earth - you're another of the crazy ones making your group look bad.

Just in case you didn't realize that.

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Your right Chuckles ! ..........Edison, Einstein,Magellan,Fermi and others were also considered "crazy" but at least not Morons like yourself.

By the way....that a was a nice song in the 50s..Crazy.

You should come up with your own song for Morons while your at Bellvue.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

Nice English, earth. In which school grade did you quit?

[earth5695]

Wow...Repug will basically tell you that the Earth is flat but correct you on your spelling.

Thanks for being Mr. Spelling Bee on the board.

Can I test you in German or Dutch Chuckles ?

[earth5695]

Nice history Repug...........did you just finish " Political History for Morons " last week .....all 4 pages ?

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

All you have are childish insults, earth.

I don't know who pays you to post - probably AIPAC - but they are getting ripped off.
/

[earth5695]

Am I hurting your feelings Chuckie ?

Dang..you can't even come back with anything original other than repeating the same old gibberish.

How much do the Whahabis send you per month besides the Humus recipes to be here 24/7 ?

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

Dang..you can't even come back with anything original other than repeating the same old gibberish.

---------

Move your mirror further from your computer monitor - it's confusing you.

[earth5695]

Repug....I already used the "mirror " 4 pages back.

Try again or do you have problems not being able to cut and paste or debate ?

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

And again you project, earth.

Since you cannot debate the issue without lying about yourself and about those you debate, I'll leave you to yourself.

I hope you grow up some day - and not just for your sake.