Mr. Chairman, I thank you for scheduling this timely hearing and also for arranging the intelligence briefing that we received earlier this morning. 

The world’s effort to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons is entering a very delicate stage. 

• Iran may accept the Russian proposal to turn Iran’s uranium hexafluoride into nuclear reactor fuel, and agree not to engage in uranium enrichment or spent fuel reprocessing. 

• If it does not do that, however, then the U.N. Security Council is likely to take up the issue and begin an effort to pressure Iran into meeting the demands of the International Atomic Energy Agency. 

 I support that effort and I believe we all have a vital interest in its success. Today’s hearing may help us understand what that will take.