Joint Hearing of the Oversight, Investigations, and Management and the Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittees of the House Homeland Security Committee - "Iranian Terror Operations on American Soil"

Statement

"We were recently made aware of an alleged attempt to assassinate the Saudi Arabian
Ambassador to the United States in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Government has linked this
assassination attempt to high-ranking Iranian officials in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard --
Quds Force. I commend the work of our intelligence and law enforcement communities and
look forward to seeing justice served in the case.

The United States and Iran have a long history. Even before uncovering the alleged plot to kill
the Saudi Ambassador, the United States had designated Iran's military force -- the Islamic
Revolutionary Guards Corps -- a terrorist organization. Reports that Iran is vigorously pursuing
nuclear weapons and its alleged ties to al-Qaeda are additional reasons why the United States
should pay close attention to Iranian activities.

However, recent remarks by some of my Republican colleagues suggesting that the alleged
assassination attempt represented the "the crossing of a 'red line' by the world's largest state
sponsor of terrorism against the United States and Israel" and claims that "sanctions are not
working" may be premature and could inflame an already fragile climate. Furthermore, the
individual currently awaiting trial is accused of attempting to enlist a Mexican drug cartel
member to assassinate the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United States.

Although some have made made a point to capitalize on the possible alliance between the
Iranians and the Mexican drug cartels, the facts indicate otherwise. We must be careful to stick
to the facts. We must not overstate nor overreact to the threat we currently face from Iran.
Some have criticized the sanctions we have placed on Iran as too soft, and have suggested
taking actions that would lead us on a path to escalation. But Iran is a nation that has already
isolated itself from the world community.

It has lost even more credibility following its latest round of illegitimate elections and the Arab
Spring that has swept the Middle East. Let us not lend them the legitimacy they need by taking
reckless actions that would lead us down the path to another war."

Source