11.14.23

Sullivan, Graham, Blumenthal & Colleagues Introduce Resolution Supporting U.S. Efforts to Deter Iran

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) today introduced a resolution emphasizing the fact that deterrence is most credible when the President keeps all options on the table, including the use of military force, to deter attacks from Iran and its proxies.

On November 2, Sen. Sullivan led a letter with 12 of his Senate Republican colleagues to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, demanding the Biden administration press for a broader, more permanent framework of sanctions on Iran from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). 

“There’s no disputing the malign influence of Iran in the Middle East, nor the role the regime has played in recent attacks on Israel,” said Sullivan. “There is no Hamas without Iran. There is no Hezbollah without Iran. There are no Houthis without Iran. All of these terrorist organizations are funded, trained and supplied by the Iranians. It’s also important for the American public to remember that, for decades, Iran’s Quds Force and their proxies have targeted and killed American citizens—including wounding or killing over 2,000 American service members. I have been critical of the Biden administration’s policies toward Iran, but today, we are looking forward. This resolution builds on the strong bipartisan support for reimposing a broad suite of sanctions against Iran—including on oil and ballistic missiles—and being prepared to use military force against Iran if they kill Americans.”

“Our resolution urges the Biden Administration to keep all options on the table, including the military option against Iran, if there is continued escalation against our forces in Syria and Iraq by Iranian proxies or an effort by Hezbollah to expand in the north of Israel, which would also be supported by Iran,” said Graham.  “The bipartisan resolution urges peace, but is prepared to hold Iran accountable for terrorist activities and any escalation. If Iran escalates, the set of targets should be in Iran – not Syria or Iraq.  In addition, our resolution encourages Saudi Arabia and Israel to continue their effort to normalize relations between their two nations. I, along with most in the region, believe the barbaric attack by Hamas was designed to stop this effort, because it would be a nightmare for Iran.”

“Iran is a toxic, malign influence. The purpose of this resolution is very simply to deter Iran by showing we’re behind the president as he seeks to stop the war in Israel from escalating. Iran is responsible for the actions of its surrogates and must pull them back. There is strong bipartisan common ground here at home and consensus in the region: deterrence it is critical to prevent a widening war,” said Blumenthal.

“Make no mistake, as the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, Iran cannot successfully be appeased. The regime in Tehran funded and trained Hamas before the barbaric October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel, fuels the proxies that have attacked American troops in Iraq and Syria, and continues to funnel resources to Hezbollah, the Houthis, and other terrorist groups across the region. Peace will only come through strength, and this bipartisan resolution sends a clear message that the United States will not tolerate attacks on Americans in the Middle East and across the globe,” said Britt.

“Iran is the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, and its actions are destabilizing the Middle East,” said Rosen. “Iran’s support has been instrumental for terrorist groups like Hamas – which carried out brutal attacks on innocent Israelis – and its proxies who attack U.S. troops and pose the greatest threat to their safety. The U.S. must continue to stand with our allies and keep pushing back on Iran’s support of terrorism and attempts to thwart regional normalization and peace.”

“We must send a strong message of deterrence to Iran as Israel defends themselves following the horrific Hamas terrorist attack on October 7th, and to ensure this war does not further escalate in the Middle East,” said Manchin. “I am proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to introduce this bipartisan resolution that advocates for meaningful steps to make very clear that the United States will not tolerate Iran’s continued attacks. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I will continue to explore all avenues to stand with Israel and prevent a regional conflict.”

The resolution:

  • Supports the President’s efforts to deter the Islamic Republic of Iran, the IRGC, Hamas, Hezbollah, Ansar Allah, PIJ, and other proxies from expanding the ongoing conflict, and recognizes deterrence is most credible when the President keeps all options on the table, including the use of military force in accordance with constitutional processes.
  • Recognizes Israel’s right to self-defense and its operations to ensure Hamas can never again terrorize innocent Israelis and Palestinians.
  • Encourages the President to work to secure the safe release and return of all hostages held by Hamas.
  • Commends the President’s decision to position military and diplomatic assets in the region to deter escalation of the conflict by the Islamic Republic of Iran, the IRGC, Hamas, Hezbollah, Ansar Allah, PIJ, and other proxies of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Iraq or Syria.
  • Recognizes that all responsible nations agree that Hamas is a terrorist organization that must be fought, dismantled and prevented from having the capacity to further terrorize Israel and the region.
  • Urges the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Israel, with the support of the United States, to continue diplomatic negotiations to normalize relations and establish lasting peace, prosperity, and stability in the Middle East.

The full text of the resolution is available here. 

Senators Graham, Blumenthal, and Sullivan discussed the resolution earlier today on Capitol Hill. WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6MBMfCh8ok&t=2s

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