U.S. lawmakers have voiced support for international penalties against Iran for its nuclear program, even if such action increases oil prices. Both Democratic and Republican senators appearing on U.S. television on Sunday said they support sanctions and, as a last resort, military action to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Senators emphasized that military strikes are now not an option, but also could not be ruled out in the future. Iran insists it has the right to possess nuclear technology and says is not interested in having nuclear weapons. But Republican Senator Trent Lott pointed to Iranian officials' plans to sponsor a conference to examine evidence of the Holocaust, calling it irresponsible behavior. Previously, Iran's president (Mahmoud Ahmadinejad) has called for the destruction of Israel and said the Holocaust is a myth.