Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is calling for severe new sanctions against Iran in response to recent attacks carried out by Hamas fighters against Israeli civilians. U.S. deputy national security adviser Jonathan Finer indicated that Iran was “broadly complicit” in the Hamas attack, and a Hamas spokesperson acknowledged receiving support from Iran. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, McConnell urged Western allies to reimpose extensive multilateral sanctions on Tehran, including denying Iranian planes overflight rights, impounding Iranian shipping vessels, closing Iranian banks with Western access, and halting the operations of European businesses in Iran.
McConnell outlined four steps in response to the terror attacks near the Gaza Strip that have claimed Israeli lives:
- He called for a clear condemnation of Hamas and its supporters, emphasizing the need to avoid neutral language that urges “both sides” to de-escalate.
- McConnell urged the Biden administration to swiftly provide military aid and intelligence to Israel’s defense forces to target and eliminate Hamas militants, whom he described as “savages.”
- He encouraged Congress to pass an emergency defense spending supplemental to assist Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan.
- McConnell emphasized the need to address the threat posed by Iran, which he referred to as “the world’s most active state sponsor of terror.”
He argued that political leaders and policymakers should distinguish between the aggressor and the victim and give Israel the time and space to defend itself.
McConnell also reiterated his call for Congress to pass an emergency spending package, emphasizing the importance of providing funding to the Defense Department to support partners like Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, and to modernize the U.S. military’s capabilities.
Regarding Iran, McConnell emphasized the deepening partnership between Tehran and Moscow and called for a comprehensive approach, including multilateral sanctions, to curb Iran’s activities. He suggested treating Iranian officials as pariahs and responding to threats to international shipping by Iranian naval boats.
By FCCT Editorial Team
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