The David Lin Report · Saturday, September 19, 2026
Ron Paul contends that U.S. policy, rather than deterring Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, actually provides them with an incentive and excuse to do so. He believes arguments about preventing Iran from obtaining weapons are worn out and that politicians use fear to control the public.
“No, I don't. It makes us more dangerous because I imagine one of the greatest motivations for Iran right now to have a nuclear weapon is because they've been surrounded by dozens of nuclear bombs and they have no way to even pretend they have a defense.”
“So I would say that, you know, this argument that they're going to get rid of the, uh, nuclear weapons, to prevent the weapons of, uh, Iran. I think our policy gives them the incentive and the excuse to do this.”
“So the excuse is something to scare the people. And they certainly did that after 911. Oh, you know, Saddam Hussein was going to come bomb New York City with a nuclear bomb. And that then the people responded to that. That's the way the politicians work, scare the people and then they will, uh, capitulate and do what the politicians tell them.”