(MYSTIC) - Rob Simmons, candidate for US Senate, made the following statement in reaction to Iranian state television announcing the regime began enriching its uranium to a higher level of 20 percent, over the objections of the international community:

"Today's pronouncement by Iran is just the latest in years of violating international guidelines on nuclear enrichment, and proves yet again that the Iranian regime fully intends on building nuclear weapons. I call on Congress to swiftly complete, and for President Obama to sign, legislation which has already passed by both chambers imposing tough economic sanctions on Iran, including on refined petroleum imports.

"This dangerous and belligerent regime which threatens its neighbors, has vowed to wipe Israel off the map and has denied the democratic will of its own people cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon that would destabilize the region, set off a Middle East nuclear arms race and pose a grave security threat to the United States and our allies."