US Lawmakers: ‘Sanction Iran’s Missiles, Drones Program’
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Two U.S. Congress members have tabled legislation that would strengthen sanctions on Iran’s long-range missiles and drones program after a U.S. Navy ship shut down a drone likely fired by Iran-backed Houthis over the Red Sea.
Senator Tom Cotton and Representative Elise Stefanik, both Republicans, said the “No [Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles] ICBMs or Drones for Iran Act” is necessary as the United Nations sanctions that restricted Iran’s missile development expired on October 18.
Their proposal came as the U.S. military confirmed Thursday that the Navy’s guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner intercepted a drone launched from Yemen, where the Houthis are based.
While the ship wasn’t the “intended target” in the Red Sea, the Houthis have threatened the U.S. military before and fired rockets and drones at Israel in recent weeks, officials said.
They are among Iran’s “terror proxies” who increased attacks on American forces in the Middle East for supporting Israel in its war against, several U.S. politicians said.
Fifty-nine U.S. troops have been injured in 56 attacks on American assets in Iraq and Syria since October 17, the Pentagon confirmed Tuesday.
“The Biden administration seems content not to do anything to stop Iranian proxies from attacking American troops. But what will we do when Iran gets its hands on missiles that can reach America?” Cotton said.
STRENGTHEN SANCTIONS
“This legislation will strengthen necessary sanctions on Iran to better protect America and our allies from their current drone attacks and future missile attacks.”
Additionally, the International Atomic Energy Agency, a U.N. watchdog, says Iran has further increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to nearly weapons-grade levels.
Israel fears Iran could potentially fire nuclear-capable missiles at the Jewish nation, which Tehran has vowed to destroy.
Stefanik, who introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, noted that
“Iran is advancing their pursuit of intercontinental ballistic missiles, arming Hamas and Russia to the teeth with kamikaze drones.” She added that the Islamic nation is “providing its terrorist proxies with weapons that are being used to strike American forces in the Middle East. This must stop.”
Stefanik stressed that “Iran’s backing of Hamas and their continuous strikes on U.S. forces make it clear that our current sanctions are not working.”
To start “successfully deterring Iran,” the two lawmakers said they want to enforce sanctions on Tehran and begin investing in a better missile defense architecture for the United States.
THIRD MISSILE
Their plan includes “the construction of a third missile defense site at Fort Drum” and assessing America’s capabilities to shoot down Iranian missiles.
The lawmakers’ legislation would also “establish the connection between Iran’s space launch vehicles and its pursuit of an ICBM” and declare it “U.S. policy to deny Iran an ICBM capability.”
Additionally, the law targets with sanctions Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force provides faster notification to Congress when Iran launches missiles.
The legislation also seeks to clarify the inclusion of Iran’s drones in U.S. sanctions against Iran as part of broader efforts “to counter Iranian drone production and transfer to other countries.”
Both lawmakers also seek to “prevent the inclusion of U.S. parts in Iranian drones” and want to “Expand the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to include Iran’s space launch vehicles and drones.”
It comes amid mounting pressure on U.S. President Joe Biden.
He agreed this week to extend a U.S. sanction waiver that could provide $10 billion in energy proceeds to Iran despite its links to a massacre in Israel and attacks against American troops.
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