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By Niels Lesniewski Posted at 6:33 p.m. on Jan. 20, 2015

Paul will have his own response to the State of the Union address.(Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Possible 2016 contender Sen. Rand Paul says that the foreign policy potion of his own response to Tuesdays State of the Union address will focus on an old adage from his medical career: Do no harm.

I think one the biggest things about foreign policy is that you should think before you act, and thats one of the themes that Ill have tonight is: First, do no harm. As physicians, were taught first to do no harm, which means think through, the Kentucky Republican said. You have enormous power as a surgeon. Before you cut into someone, make sure you have the right diagnosis. Try not to make mistakes.

Paul is issuing his own video response, separate from the official message to be delivered by Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa.

In an interview in his Washington office ahead of the speech by President Barack Obama, Paulused thepotential for additional sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program as an example where Congress should avoid doing such harm.

My fear is that in eagerness, you know, to put more sanctions on those who are overly eager could get us to a point where there are only two solutions: either Iran gets a bomb or theres war, whereas right now we have a third solution which is a little better, he said.

Ive been talking with many Republicans and many Democrats to try to try find a way forward that does not ruin the chance for negotiations. I voted for sanctions in the past with the intention and the hope that we could find a peaceful outcome to this where Iran does not develop nuclear weapons, Paul said. My fear is that if new sanctions are placed on that, the sanctions coalition will break up.

Paul pointed to recent comments by British Prime Minister David Cameron in opposition to U.S. lawmakers moving ahead with additional sanctions with the P5+1 talks ongoing.

The proposition that Ive been floating has been that we let Iran know that if they dont comply with the current agreement, the interim agreement, that sanctions would be resumed. I think this a better way than placing new sanctions on, Paul said. Then what would happen is you would have presumption of what is already out there, and it would be based on Iranian noncompliance instead of Congress setting new parameters.

Link:
Rand Paul's Message: 'Do No Harm' In Foreign Affairs