Dozens of U.S. senators demanded that President Joe Biden immediately stop negotiating with Iran, the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, after Iranian-backed terrorists have launched countless attacks against Israel this week.
“Over the past couple days, Palestinian terrorists in Gaza, who are funded by Iran, have launched a series of rocket attacks into Israel,” the 43 senators, all Republicans, wrote. “They are targeting Israeli civilians and cities, including Israel’s capital Jerusalem. This is troubling as members of your administration are currently in Vienna negotiating with Iran, the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. In light of these recent attacks by Hamas against Israel, the United States should take all steps necessary to hold Tehran accountable and under no circumstances, provide sanctions relief to Iran. This is especially important as Iran is supporting terrorist activity against the United States’ closest ally in the region, Israel.”
The letter comes as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) — both designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) — have been behind countless rocket attacks against Israel this week that have resulted in the deaths of at least seven people inside Israel with hundreds injured. A report from The Daily Wire this week highlighted how Palestinian extremists have openly bragged or thanked Iran for weapons they have received from Iran.
“The United States engaging in active negotiations with Iran and potentially providing billions of dollars in sanctions relief will no doubt contribute to Iran’s support of Hamas and other terrorist organizations who attack Americans and our allies,” the senators wrote. “We call on you to immediately end negotiations with Iran, and make clear that sanctions relief will not be provided. Doing so would demonstrate a firm commitment to our closest ally in the region and to our own security interests.”
The senators said that it was crucial that the U.S. not do anything to financially support those who are in any way involved in committing violence against Israel, which is America’s top ally in the region.
Andrea Stricker, research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), echoed the remarks coming from the senators, saying that the U.S. should immediately end its involvement in the Vienna nuclear deal negotiations.
“The nuclear accord, embedded in UN Security Council resolution 2231, lifts sanctions on Iran and removes an international embargo against Iran’s import and export of missiles in October 2023,” Stricker said in a statement to The Daily Wire. “We see what happens when Iran can import and export missiles. Lives are at stake in the region. Iran cannot have additional funding to outfit its violent proxies.”
The senators who signed the letter included Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jim Risch (R-ID), Pat Toomey (R-PA), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Todd Young (R-IN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), James Lankford (R-OK), Steve Daines (R-MT), Josh Hawley (R-MO), John Barrasso (R-WY), Ron Johnson (R-WI), John Boozman (R-AR), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Rick Scott (R-FL), Mike Braun (R-IN), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Ben Sasse (R-NE), Tim Scott (R-SC), Roger Wicker (R-MS), John Thune (R-SD), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Hoeven (R-ND), John Kennedy (R-LA), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Mike Lee (R-UT), Richard Burr (R-NC), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Rob Portman (R-OH).