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

I am pleased that the combined forces of both our Subcommittees have joined together to gain greater
insight into the Iranian threat.

For over thirty years, the relationship between Iran and the United States has been tenuous, to say the
least. Since 1995 the United States has had an embargo on trade with Iran. This may seem like a long
time, but Iran's sponsorship of terrorist activities against the U.S. and other countries spans the past thirty
years.

And, as I watch our young men and women return from the battlefield in Iraq and Afghanistan bearing
both the physical and psychological wounds of war, what angers me the most are the allegations of
extensive collaboration between Iran and some of our most threatening enemies - the Taliban, Afghan
warlords and al-Qaeda.

For this very reason, our foreign policy with Iran should not be a partisan issue.

Iran's actions are wrong and as we focus on their nuclear ambitions, which are incredibly concerning, we
cannot turn a blind eye to the Revolutionary Guard's own ambitions to stretch its tentacles even further
across the Middle East and perhaps, into the Western Hemisphere, as well.

There is no doubt that following the failed Iranian elections in June 2009, the Iranian regime has had its
legitimacy wounded and its paranoia increased.

They have called on Islamic extremists in the region to increase their violent posture and yet again, have
advocated for the annihilation of the Jewish state.

And, as if this is not enough to worry Israel, who is our true democratic ally and trusted friend, Iran's
nuclear ambitions are moving swiftly towards a nuclear reality as the world waits and watches.
Europe, Israel and the United States must undoubtedly prepare for a more dangerous Iranian regime in the
near-term.

Yet, nothing endangers peace more than a refusal to face and accept facts. So an examination of a way
forward with Iran makes sense.

Whether Iran's known and speculated alliances with terrorist organizations pose an actual threat to the
United States homeland is a question that many have tried to answer.

What we do know, is that Members of the elite Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps
were involved in a plot to assassinate Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to the United States.

We should ensure that the decision on how to proceed is grounded in the best interest of the United States.
According to the complaint filed by the Department of Justice, an Iranian American working on behalf of
an Iran-based member of Iran's Quds Force attempted to hire a member of a Mexican drug cartel to
assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the United States.

The cartel member, however, turned out to be an informant for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, who
tipped off U.S. officials and helped them build the case against perpetrators who were subsequently
arrested on September 29 in New York.

Therefore, the focus rightly belongs on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps -- an organization that the
Department of the Treasury sanctioned as a terrorist organization -- and whether the Government of Iran
or the entire IRGC had knowledge of this scheme.

As I alluded to earlier, evidence exists that the IRGC is playing an active role to undermine Iraq, by
funneling funds and arms to Shiite militias, engaging directly in military activity and gathering
intelligence.

Furthermore, the United States and the European Union both agree that the Quds Force are providing
equipment and support to help the Syrian regime suppress revolts in Syria. This information alone is
cause for concern.

Although I believe President Obama's dual track of engagement and policy has had a profound effect on
Iran's capabilities, we must begin to weigh other measures and be prepared to counter the evolving threat
of Iran.

I look forward to hearing some of the ideas coming from our witnesses. I thank our witnesses for being
here today and look forward to hearing their views on how we should counter this threat and exactly how
far along the threat lies within our own borders.

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