More than a hundred Jewish-community leaders are gathering in Washington today as part of a fly-in on Iran policy. The fly-in's top agenda item is for Congress and the Obama administration to slap punitive, crippling sanctions on Iran and to impose strict deadlines for engagement with Iran.

This is a reckless approach to a very serious issue.

We all are concerned about Iran's nuclear quest and its support of terrorists. But you and I also know that any effective approach to deal with these threats must be carefully considered. Crippling sanctions that target the Iranian people or arbitrary deadlines may backfire. That's why APN released this week a detailed set of recommendations for how the United States should approach the issue.

Click here to read APN's talking points on engaging Iran and promoting peace.​

Click here to watch a video that explores some of the controversy surrounding these issues.

President George W. Bush adopted a strategy toward Iran based on trying to threaten, browbeat and sanction Iran into submission. This strategy failed to stop Iran's nuclear program or end its reckless meddling in the region. President Barack Obama came to office promising to change course and engage Iran. He was right. Serious, sustained, direct U.S. engagement with Iran is now needed to address the full range of issues on the U.S.-Iran agenda.

Iran is in a state of political upheaval. American policy should be nimble enough to respond to both the challenges and the opportunities that will present.

Click here to write Congress and tell them to back President Obama's approach.

Iran's nuclear program is a threat to America's national security interests, including Israel's security and the quest for peace in the Middle East. That's why we want you to join in the push for a smart and effective U.S. policy.

Sincerely, 
Noam Shelef
Director of Strategic Communications
Americans for Peace Now