Washington, D.C.- President Joe Biden faces growing pressure to respond to Iran following Iran-backed proxy terror groups’ attacks on US military bases.
Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder reportedly acknowledged the attacks are supported by Iran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
"What we are seeing is the prospect for more significant escalation against U.S. forces and personnel across the region in the very near term coming from Iranian proxy forces, and ultimately from Iran," explained Ryder.
Lawmakers have been quick to react, emphasizing the need for the Biden administration to deter Iran or any of its proxies from joining Hamas in their war against Israel.
“As Hamas continues to attack Israel's right to exist, we must deter any possibility of escalation from Iran-backed proxies,” said the Chairman of the GOP House Foreign Affairs Committee Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX).
Others have directly blamed President Biden for emboldening Iran by failing to publicly and explicitly denounce their support of Hamas brutal attacks against Israel.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio, after stating he had warned of the potential drawbacks of not undermining Iran’s support for Hamas, called on Biden to transparently denounce Iran.
“On Oct 11th I warned Iran would unleash their proxies on U.S. troops if they assessed the U.S. would not hold Tehran directly responsible,” said Rubio.
On Oct 11th I warned Iran would unleash their proxies on U.S. troops if they assessed the U.S. would not hold Tehran directly responsible@POTUS and @DeptofDefense need to be honest with the American people about the direct role Iran has played in the 14 attacks launched in the… https://t.co/q97mALFYbk
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) October 24, 2023
Rubio continued, stating “@POTUS and @DeptofDefense need to be honest with the American people about the direct role Iran has played in the 14 attacks launched in the last 6 days against American troops.”
Others, such as Representative Cory Mills (R-FL), have emphasized the need for a bipartisan united front against Iran.
Representative Mills (R-FL) said on a Foreign Affairs Committee hearing that legislators must be united in criticizing Iran, adding that "we must be able to…lay the blame where it is without partisanship."
