Biden accused of 'double talk' on Iran

Critic contrasts tough rhetoric on nukes with 'appeasement' of mullahs

In an upcoming TV special, Democratic Sen. Joseph Biden declares nuclear technology in the hands of Iran's "despotic theocracy" is "unacceptable," but a critic charges the Delaware lawmaker's engagement policy with Tehran over the last decade makes him partly responsible for the growing threat the U.S. faces from the mullah regime.

Biden tells host Chris Wallace in Fox News Channel's "Iran: The Nuclear Threat" airing Sunday night, "To have a despotic theocracy in possession of a nuclear weapon, creates a much bigger danger than having a democratically elected government in control of a nuclear weapon. ... They're much more likely to use it or threaten to use it or attempt to use it for blackmail."

Biden, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also comments on Iran's stockpile of missiles, capable of delivering nuclear warheads: "It ratchets up everything and makes the neighborhood a hell of a lot more dangerous."

Wallace asks: "You're saying at this point a nuclear Iran is unacceptable?"

"Correct," Biden replies.