UNION CITY – U.S. Rep. John Tanner, President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, expressed concern over the revelation of previously undeclared nuclear facilities in Iran and that country’s test missile launch.

“This demonstrates that Iranian statements on the extent of their nuclear activities have been incomplete and show that the government of Iran has yet to fully understand the depth of international concern about the nature of its nuclear program,” Tanner said. “I am sure that my parliamentary colleagues across the NATO Alliance share my concern and determination.

“This is not an issue of whether Iran has a right to develop nuclear power for civilian use,” Tanner continued. “This is about restricting and restraining the proliferation of nuclear weapons that would set off a destabilizing wave across the region. These developments can only isolate Iran further from the rest of the international community. Iran must understand that its actions are counter-productive and may well result in new economic sanctions.”

Tanner represents the 8th Congressional District in West and Middle Tennessee. Co-founder of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats, Tanner serves on the Ways and Means Committee, where he chairs the Social Security Subcommittee, and on the Foreign Affairs Committee. A veteran of the U.S. Navy and the Tennessee Army National Guard, Tanner chairs the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and is serving a two-year term as NATO PA President.