Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell called on Congress to step up its pressure on Iran, recommending lawmakers draft a resolution “authorizing the use of force.”

“I think all of us believe the sanctions are a good idea. In fact, we forced them on the president. It was not his idea to have enhanced sanctions,” McConnell said at the Capitol Tuesday.

“We actually gave it to him whether he wanted it or not. And he has been using some of them but not all of them.”

McConnell continued, “I made a recommendation last night for something that I think might convince the Iranians that we’re serious about it, and that would be to debate and vote on a resolution authorizing the use of force. That doesn’t guarantee that force would be used, but it certainly would be a credible step in the direction saying we view this as a very serious matter.”

Following McConnell’s remarks, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Congress and President Obama should proceed “very cautiously” toward Iran.

“We have problems around this world that are so significant. We have North Korea. We have Iran. We have the situation in Syria,” said Reid.

“We have problems now in Egypt. So let’s just stop throwing the word ‘war’ around so casually.”

Follow Nicholas on Twitter