• He opposes unconditional diplomatic talks with Tehran and would work with
allies to stop Iran's dealings in Iraq.

• McCain is very worried about Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon and giving it to
terrorist organizations.

• He believes that Iran's nuclear proliferation is a serious risk and could
further destabilize the region.
 
• McCain would use military force to prevent Iran from developing nuclear
weapons.

• In April 2007, McCain was asked about possible U.S. military action in Iran,
“when do we send them an airmail message to Tehran?" He began his answer with a
variation on the lyrics of a well-known pop song, Barbara Ann. “You know that
old Beach Boys song, Bomb Iran?" He then sang "Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran".
 The song became a video sensation on the Internet.

• In July 2008, McCain was asked for his reaction to an Associated Press report
that $158 million in cigarettes had been shipped from the United States to Iran
during President Bush's years in office, despite restrictions on U.S. exports
there. "Maybe that's a way of killing them," McCain answered. Following a poke
in the back from wife Cindy, McCain clarified, "I meant that as a joke, as a
person who hasn't had a cigarette in 28 years." 

• McCain has called Obama naive for his willingness to meet with U.S. foes such
as Iran.

• In July 2008, Iran test-fired nine long- and medium-range missiles that
Iranian officials said were aimed at showing the country’s ability to counter
Israeli or American attacks.   In a prepared statement, McCain responded,
“Iran’s most recent missile tests demonstrate again the dangers it poses to its
neighbors and to the wider region, especially Israel. Ballistic missile testing
coupled with Iran’s continued refusal to cease its nuclear activities should
unite the international community in efforts to counter Iran’s dangerous
ambitions. Iran’s missile tests also demonstrate the need for effective missile
defense now and in the future, and this includes missile defense in Europe as is
planned with the Czech Republic and Poland.”  McCain also criticized Obama for
his plans to open direct diplomacy with Iran. “Working with our European and
regional allies is the best way to meet the threat posed by Iran, not
unilateral concessions that undermine multilateral diplomacy,” McCain said.

• McCain accused Obama of underestimating the threat Iran poses to the United
States and stated, "Senator Obama has declared and repeatedly reaffirmed his
intention to meet the president of Iran without any preconditions, likening it
to meetings between former American presidents and the leaders of the Soviet
Union," he said. "Such a statement betrays the depth of Senator Obama's
inexperience and reckless judgment. These are very serious deficiencies for an
American president to possess."

Obama quickly responded to McCain's attack, "And so I have made it clear for
years that the threat from Iran is grave, but what I have said is that we
should not just talk to our friends, we should be willing to engage our enemies
as well.  That is what diplomacy is all about.  The reason Iran is so much more
powerful now than it was a few years ago is because of the Bush and McCain
policy of fighting an endless war in Iraq and refusing to pursue direct
diplomacy with Iran. They are the ones who have not dealt with Iran wisely."

• Obama would engage in direct talks with Tehran including offering some
economic incentives if Iran stopped operations in Iraq and cooperated on
nuclear issues.
 
• He has refused to say if he would consider military action if Iran were not
abandon its nuclear weapons program.
 
• Obama said he continued to favor an incentive package that is aimed at
getting Iran to drop its nuclear ambitions.

• He proposed a resolution in the Senate to reverse designation of Iran's
Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization.

• Obama accused McCain and President Bush of what he called dishonest and
divisive attacks over his willingness to talk to Iran.  Without mentioning
Obama's name, President Bush compared those who would negotiate with terrorists
and radicals, to the appeasers of Nazi Germany prior to the Second World War.

• In July 2008, Iran test-fired nine long- and medium-range missiles that
Iranian officials said were aimed at showing the country’s ability to counter
Israeli or American attacks.  Obama responded, “I would want to talk to the
national security team to find out whether this indicates any new capabilities
on Iran’s part. At this point, the reports aren’t clear. It’s still early, but
I think what this underscores is the need for us to create a kind of policy
that is putting the burden on Iran to change behavior. And, frankly, we just
have not been able to do that over the last several years, partly because we’re
not engaged in direct diplomacy.”  He also stated that Iran is a ‘grave threat’
and that we should gather our allies together in a serious effort to apply
sanctions in Iran.  He noted that American exports to Iran have increased
during the Bush years.