Letter to James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence - Regarding Iran's Potential Involvement in Missile Attacks on A US Naval Vessel

Letter

Dear Director Clapper,

As you know, within the last two weeks, there were multiple missile attacks on the USS Mason operating in international waters in the Red Sea. In addition to constituting an attack on our fellow citizens and an American naval vessel, these attacks also threaten the freedom of navigation through one of the world's most important strategic and commercial waterways. When a U.S. naval vessel is attacked and our interests are threatened, the American people deserve to know who is responsible and who facilitated the attack. There is evidence to suggest that the Houthis-Iran's proxies in Yemen-are responsible for the attacks.

Consistent with the predictable and escalating pattern of Iranian aggression and belligerence toward the United States and our interests since the nuclear agreement was signed last year, I am concerned that Iran may have provided the missiles that were fired at the USS Mason or that the $1.7 billion cash ransom payment this administration has provided to Iran is being used directly or indirectly to facilitate or fund attacks against U.S. Navy vessels.

There is certainly a well-established track record of support by Tehran for the Houthis in Yemen, and some officials reportedly believe the Houthis conducted the attacks on the USS Mason. In April 2015, referring to Iranian support for their proxies in Yemen, Secretary of State John Kerry said, "There are obviously supplies that have been coming from Iran. There are a number of flights every single week that have been flying in and we trace those flights and we know those. We're well aware of the support that Iran has been giving to Yemen."

More recently, on October 11, U.S. State Department Spokesperson John Kirby acknowledged that Iran has provided the Houthis missiles. Yesterday, Reuters reported that Iran has increased weapons transfers to the Houthis. An Iranian official quoted in the story confirmed that there has been a "sharp surge" in Tehran's assistance to the Houthis, referring to weapons, training, and money. Also, General Joseph Votel, the commander of Central Command, suggested that Iran could have supplied "the kinds of shore-based missile technology seen in Yemen."

In light of these concerns, I ask that you provide written and unclassified answers to the following questions:

1) A range of agencies have acknowledged that Iran supports the Houthis. How much of that support is financial and how much of it is material?
2) If it includes financial support, what is the nature of that support? Have the Iranians sent cash to the Houthis? How recently? How much? Have the Iranians sent additional cash in the months following the delivery of the $1.7 billion cash ransom payment to Iran? If so, was the cash sent to the Houthis the cash provided to Iran by the Obama administration?
3) Has Iran increased the flow of arms to the Houthis through Oman?
4) Does Iran continue to utilize maritime routes to supply the Houthis? If so, how?
5) Have Iranian commercial air carriers, such as Mahan and Iran Air, been used to ferry weapons, cash, or military advisors to Yemen or Oman in support of the Houthis?
6) Is it your assessment that the Houthis conducted the attacks on the USS Mason?
7) Did the attacks on the USS Mason involve Chinese-supplied C-801s from the existing Yemeni Navy stocks or Iranian-supplied C-802s/Noors?
8) Press reports suggest that Iran hosts training camps for Houthi fighters in Iran and Syria. Approximately how many Houthis have been trained by Iran? How are they rotated back to Yemen?
9) Has Iran or Hezbollah provided training, technical, or targeting support to Houthis that may have facilitated the attacks on the USS Mason or other U.S. assets in the vicinity?
10) Is Iran supplying missiles to the Houthis? If so, what type? Is Iran equipping the Houthis with its short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs), like the Fateh-110?
11) How is Iran transferring missile technology and know-how to Houthi forces?
12) How many Iranian personnel, including members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS), are assessed to be on the ground in Yemen to advise, assist, train, or coordinate with Houthi fighters?
13) How many members of Lebanese Hezbollah are assessed to be on the ground in Yemen?
14) Is Iran providing logistical or financial support to assist Shia militias and/or foreign fighters from the Horn of Africa to travel to Yemen?

I look forward to reviewing your responses to these questions. Thank you for your distinguished service to our country.

Sincerely,

Source