President Joe Biden is facing new pressure from Democratic lawmakers to strengthen his stance on dealing with Iran following Hamas' attack on Israel earlier in October.
Biden's approach to Iranian relations faced new scrutiny following reports that Hamas allegedly coordinated with Tehran before the militant group's October 7 attack on Israel, firing thousands of rockets against the country while also attacking from land, air and sea from Gaza.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers signed off on a letter to Biden Monday night urging him to take action to hold Iran accountable amid reports that it may have supported Hamas leading up to the attack.
Ahmed Abdulhadi, Hamas's representative in Lebanon, previously told Newsweek the group collaborated with Iran and Hezbollah "before, during and after this battle at the highest level." However, United States intelligence officials have not publicly said they believe Iran supported Hamas.
The letter was signed by 113 members of Congress, including 63 Democrats, and led by Representatives Josh Gottheimer, a New Jersey Democratic, Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican, Jared Moskowitz, a Florida Democrat, and Claudia Tenney, a New York Republican.
"Iran must be held fully accountable for its continued role in funding Hamas and Islamic terror," the letter reads. "We urge the Administration to take all necessary steps to cut off Iranian funding sources."
The lawmakers called for the "maximum enforcement" of all United States sanctions against Iran and for Biden to take "any and all steps" to end Iran from trading oil to China, a major source of income for the country that brings in $150 million per day. Iran's oil sales reached a new high at the end of 2022.
Potato Joe's Neville Chamberlain approach to terrorism is not working nor should it be.
Biden's approach to Iranian relations faced new scrutiny following reports that Hamas allegedly coordinated with Tehran before the militant group's October 7 attack on Israel, firing thousands of rockets against the country while also attacking from land, air and sea from Gaza.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers signed off on a letter to Biden Monday night urging him to take action to hold Iran accountable amid reports that it may have supported Hamas leading up to the attack.
Ahmed Abdulhadi, Hamas's representative in Lebanon, previously told Newsweek the group collaborated with Iran and Hezbollah "before, during and after this battle at the highest level." However, United States intelligence officials have not publicly said they believe Iran supported Hamas.
The letter was signed by 113 members of Congress, including 63 Democrats, and led by Representatives Josh Gottheimer, a New Jersey Democratic, Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican, Jared Moskowitz, a Florida Democrat, and Claudia Tenney, a New York Republican.
"Iran must be held fully accountable for its continued role in funding Hamas and Islamic terror," the letter reads. "We urge the Administration to take all necessary steps to cut off Iranian funding sources."
The lawmakers called for the "maximum enforcement" of all United States sanctions against Iran and for Biden to take "any and all steps" to end Iran from trading oil to China, a major source of income for the country that brings in $150 million per day. Iran's oil sales reached a new high at the end of 2022.
Potato Joe's Neville Chamberlain approach to terrorism is not working nor should it be.