[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE] The Democratic, Republican and Independent mayoral candidates, Bill de Blasio, Joe Lhota and Adolfo Carrion jr. stood together, Monday morning, in calling on the international community to step up the pressure on Iran to halt its enrichment of uranium and its pursue of nuclear weaponry.

The Iranian government has been the number one state sponsor of terror for years. And until they fundamentally change their ways, we will continue to regard them as such. “Mr. de Blasio said, as elected officials and Jewish leaders gathered outside the UN at a press conference organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC).”The reasons we have seen a change in rhetoric is because of the relentless pressure. But we won’t be fooled by pretty words, until we see fundamental change in policy. We have to continue every form of pressure on the Iranian regime until it changes its policies. We simply won’t be fooled again.”

“It is very important that we stand together, especially in light of the fact that the Islamic nation of Iran continues to move forward with its [pursue] of nuclear weapons,” said republican mayoral candidate Joe Lhota. “We need to stand together to make sure that words are not as important as actions. It is very, very important that we continue to pressure on Iran, to make sure that that they no longer put pressure on the State of Israel by threatening them with nuclear warfare and terror. It is very important that we stand unified as one people for the state of Israel, in making sure that Iran acts like the neighbor it should be.”

While there was no daylight between the contenders’ stated view on U.S. policy toward Iran, Mr. Lhota, speaking to reporters after his remarks, took a swipe at de Blasio when asked how his worldview differed from his opponent’s.

“We do have very, very different political philosophies … in light of what my views are of how our economy works, and that probably transfers over into foreign policy, but that’s not one that we have had a debate on,” Lhota said.

“Actions taken with the Sandinistas, who were fighting Americans as well as capitalism, [were] absolutely not the right thing to do during the Cold War. Going to Cuba illegally is never a good thing in this country. His point of view in the world and my point of view in the world are contrasting and different,” he added.

“We are the capital of the world, the headquarters of the United Nations,” Lhota said. “The mayor of New York has always been asked about issues around the world.”

When a TV reporter asked if Lhota favored keeping Iran’s leader out of New York, noting the antipathy of Lhota’s former boss, Mayor Rudy Giuliani, toward Palestinian Authority President Yasir Arafat, the candidate said, “There is a world of difference between heads of state and Yasir Arafat, who was a murderer … He was a murderer, end of sentence.”

Mr. Lhota also spoke about Jonathan Pollard, saying the US should re-open the case and determine how long he should stay in prison.

Watch the following Video of Mr. Lhota’s full media availability – by NY True:

(Jacob Kornbluh – YWN)