Skelton Calls For Sanctions

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton is calling for new international sanctions against Iran, in the wake of revelations that the country has been operating a secret nuclear facility.

"The news that we got, of course, is very troubling. France and Great Britain are alongside of us in trying to do something, and I think they should move ahead with the sanctions they've been talking about," Skelton told MSNBC. "It's really troubling that, being a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, they choose to hide and withhold information from the [International Atomic Energy Association], and I think we need to push those sanctions as best we can," he added.

"I think we need -- regardless of what they try to do -- we need to push those sanctions," Skelton added. "If they were really trying to do this for peaceful purposes, they would [not hide] the fact they're enriching this uranium. They have to know it's a painful choice that they have made in hiding facilities that enrich uranium."

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Legislation before Congress is aimed at cutting off Iran's gasoline and other petroleum imports. Skelton dismissed concerns that Iran might retaliate. "I don't know what they would do, but I think we need, regardless what they try to do, we need to push those sanctions," Skelton said.