Santorum: Iran needs ultimatum over nukes

Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum said the U.S. should issue an ultimatum to Iran to dismantle its nuclear program and "take out those facilities" if that demand goes unmet.

In a wide-ranging interview on "CBS This Morning," in which he also sparred with host Charlie Rose over controversial contraception comments by supporter Foster Friess, the former Pennsylvania senator chided the Obama administration for not doing enough to thwart Iran's nuclear ambitions.

"Every time we've seen something brought up to try to curb Iran and their ability to develop that nuclear weapon, he's opposed it or grudgingly gone along," he said.

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Santorum said he would pursue a multi-pronged approach on Iran, from trying to bolster pro-democracy reformers in the country to stepping up sanctions and covert operations.

"If we do believe they're as close as the Israelis believe [to obtaining a nuclear weapon], we have to put an ultimatum on the table ... and take out those facilities."

Iran boasted this week of advancements in domestic production of nuclear fuel, but some experts are skeptical that the Iran's nuclear technology is as advanced as they are claiming. Tehran also has continued to insist that its nuclear programs are geared toward energy and medical ends.

The U.S. and European Union have toughened sanctions in Iran amid tensions over its nuclear program. While it has trotted out its nuclear advancements, Tehran has also signaled willingness to restart negotiations with international nuclear inspectors, which some have taken as a sign of the sanctions' effectiveness.

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Coming up this Sunday on Face the Nation: Rick Santorum

Watch Santorum discuss his concerns about Iran above.