Cogressman Tom Price (R-GA) issued the following statement in response to the revelation that the Iranian government has lied about and concealed the existence of yet another nuclear enrichment facility.

“We cannot continue to ignore the need to halt Iran’s drive toward nuclear weapons,” said Congressman Price. “The public revelation of this nuclear facility’s existence illustrates yet again that the current Iranian regime cannot be trusted. The most stunning news, however, is that President Obama was aware of this facility’s existence, understood that it appears non-peaceful, yet still decided to weaken our missile defense capabilities. This administration’s nonchalant attitude about the threat of a missile-borne nuclear attack from Iran is absolutely reckless. Missile defense systems are vital measures that will both deter and defend against the threat of missile-borne attacks. Yet, the Obama administration has scrapped plans for a defensive site in Eastern Europe and has cut $1.2 billion in missile defense funding.

“The lies and secrecy from Iran show a clear desire for more than nuclear powered electricity. At the same time, Iran continues to develop its missile program. A missile-delivered nuclear weapon from Iran will one day soon become a very real, very dangerous threat to America and our allies. The Iranian government has a long history of negotiating in bad faith. It should be clear to all but the most naïve that diplomacy alone will not prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.”

NOTE: The Washington Post reported earlier this morning that the Obama administration knew of this facility’s existence prior to making their changes to U.S. missile defense policies.

“White House officials said Western intelligence agencies have been tracking the facility for years. Obama said officials from the United States, France and Britain briefed the IAEA in Vienna on Thursday on what they knew about the facility. The three heads of state decided to publicly disclose the existence of the facility after learning that Iran had become aware the site was no longer a secret.” (Washington Post, 9/25/09)