National Security Experts Warn of Dangers of Iranian Electromagnetic Pulse Attack

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November 20, 2013

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National Security Experts Warn of Dangers of Iranian Electromagnetic Pulse Attack

WASHINGTON, DC — Yesterday, amidst the Obama administration’s ongoing efforts to negotiate only a partial reduction in Iran’s uranium enrichment in exchange for the easing of sanctions, a panel of noted national security experts discussed the danger of that country’s escalating nuclear program and the risk that such capabilities could result in an electromagnetic pulse attack on the United States, Israel, or other allied nations.

The panel, sponsored by EMPACTAmerica, was moderated by Frank J. Gaffney, Jr., President and CEO of the Center for Security Policy and former Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy. Gaffney, in his own remarks, discussed the nature of a nuclear-detonated EMP attack – the effect of which would be to take down the electrical grid indefinitely – and the potential for an Iranian EMP attack in light of that regime’s determination to develop nuclear weapons and frequently stated intent to bring about “a world without America.”

Amb. John Bolton, former United States Representative to the United Nations, and Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney, USAF (Ret.), former Assistant Vice Chief of Staff, United States Air Force, discussed the dangers – from both a foreign policy and defense perspective – of lifting sanctions or of otherwise negotiating with Tehran on its nuclear weapons program. Amb. Bolton noted President Obama’s troubling decision effectively to “chase down” Iranian president Rouhani in order to negotiate a deal would have ramifications for American credibility in the Middle East.

Morton Klein, President of the Zionist Organization of America, discussed the impact of Iran’s nuclear weapons development on Israel’s security, noting that Israeli security officials remain deeply concerned about the Obama administration’s outreach to Tehran in light of the threats that regime continues to pose in the region. Klein added that in the entire history of warfare, appeasement has never worked and remains an ill-advised approach to addressing the Iranian nuclear program.

Clare Lopez, a senior fellow with the Center for Security Policy and former operations officer with the CIA, discussed Iran’s continuing sponsorship of global terrorism and the extent to which Iran could use proxies such as Hezbollah to conduct attacks against Israeli, Jewish, and US targets worldwide in retaliation for possible strikes against Iranian nuclear weapons facilities.

Frank J. Gaffney, Jr. commented:

“This month, as we commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the contrast between that president’s steadfastness in the face of the Cuban missile crisis, and President Obama’s eagerness to negotiate a flawed deal with Iran on its nuclear weapons production, is both stark and alarming. The failure to appreciate the threat posed by a fully realized Iranian nuclear capability is further compounded by the ongoing failure to harden the American electric grid against electromagnetic pulse, an entirely conceivable form of attack should the Iranians develop the ability to execute it by detonating a nuclear weapon. We urge President Obama to heed the warnings of these and other national security authorities in this regard.”

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