Exclusive: Three Members of the U.S. House of Representatives Call for Serious and Deterrent Action Against the Islamic Republic

Three members of the U.S. House of Representatives from the Democratic and Republican parties emphasized the necessity for serious and punitive action by the United States against the Islamic Republic to deter the destructive activities of the Iranian government and its proxy groups in an interview with Voice of America. Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democratic member from Illinois, reacted to the killing of three American soldiers, stating, "We have sent a strong message to the Iranian government, and we will respond strongly. I think this is the first step. I do not want to specify all the steps and actions, but know that a range of options for response has been identified, but the most important issue is that our enemies know we will react and we will do whatever is necessary to protect our citizens." Mike Gallagher, a Republican and chairman of the House Select Committee on China, also told Voice of America that "sanctions alone do not have much deterrent power; only military power can support deterrence efforts." He emphasized that "we must target the interests of the Islamic Republic in retaliation for the killing of American soldiers," adding, "In my opinion, sanctions cannot have much impact on their deterrence; therefore, a comprehensive regional strategy is necessary to deal with the Iranian regime to prevent Tehran's actions." Carlos Gimenez, a Republican member of the House, stated that strict sanctions against all of the regime's assets are more effective than military responses. He added, "The Iranian government finances all the terrorist groups in the world; therefore, adopting strict economic sanctions against the Islamic Republic can reduce the regime's revenues and subsequently limit Tehran's financing of terrorist groups." He also described the killing of three American soldiers in an attack by groups supported by the Islamic Republic as regrettable and criticized the Biden administration's actions regarding the Iranian government. President Joe Biden stated on Tuesday that he had made a decision on how to respond to the drone attack that resulted in the deaths and injuries of several American forces in Jordan but did not provide further details. He mentioned that the United States does not need a broader war in the Middle East and confirmed other U.S. officials' statements that the U.S. does not seek war with Iran. Biden also promised on Sunday that he would respond to the attack by militias affiliated with the Islamic Republic. On Saturday night, three American soldiers were killed and about 40 others injured due to a drone attack by "extremist militias supported by the Iranian government" on the U.S. forces' base at the Syrian-Jordanian border. Iranian officials denied any connection to this attack. John Kirby stated: "We consider the Islamic Resistance of Iraq responsible for the deaths of three American soldiers in Jordan." The U.S. blamed the "Islamic Resistance of Iraq" for the drone attack on its soldiers in Jordan; revenge is on the way. The National Guard of the United States confirmed the injuries of American soldiers in the recent drone attack. Reuters reported that pressure from the Islamic Republic has caused the cessation of attacks by Kata'ib Hezbollah. The U.S. accused four Chinese nationals of smuggling electronic parts to Iran. An American official told ABC News that the U.S. response would involve attacks on "multiple targets." Biden stated that he had made a decision on how to respond to the deadly attack on American soldiers.