Mike Waltz: Buyers of Iranian Oil and Related Shipping Companies Should Be Sanctioned

Mike Waltz, a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida, criticized the Biden administration's approach towards the Islamic Republic of Iran as the Shiite militia leaders supported by the Iranian government are securing financial resources, weapon supplies, and training for militias across the Middle East. In an interview with the National Desk television network published on Friday, February 1, he described the U.S. government's deterrence policy aimed at preventing the escalation of tensions as 'appeasement' towards the Iranian regime, stating, 'The de-escalation approach - this kind of passive approach - is exactly what invites terrorists to escalate tensions; because they see a weakness and opportunity here.' Waltz referred to retaliatory military strikes as 'short-term objectives' and said, 'What I am looking for is a long-term strategic change in our policy. The government's policy is to dry up the financial resources of the Iranian regime through sanctions. However, the House of Representatives approved a plan that would impose sanctions on refineries, shipping companies, and even Chinese buyers who purchase most of Iran's oil and funnel billions of dollars to Tehran. [They] not only assist terrorists but also help Russia. They provide Russia with drones, missiles, and equipment used against Ukraine.' This comes as the White House committed to responding to the drone attack on Sunday, January 28, by Iranian proxy forces that killed three American military personnel and injured several others. The White House also warned that the United States is not seeking another widespread war. Joe Biden, the President of the United States, stated that the U.S. does not need a broader war in the Middle East and confirmed other U.S. officials' statements that the U.S. does not want war with Iran. Biden said, 'I don't think we need a broader war in the Middle East. This is not what I am looking for.' John Kirby, the White House National Security Council spokesman, previously stated on Wednesday that the U.S. holds the 'Islamic Resistance of Iraq,' composed of several Iranian-backed militia groups including Kata'ib Hezbollah, responsible for the recent drone attack in Jordan that killed three American soldiers and is preparing retaliatory strikes against this group. Lloyd Austin, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, also stated on Thursday that the U.S. will not tolerate attacks on American forces. Austin referred to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and the attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on commercial ships in the Red Sea, saying, 'This is a dangerous moment in the Middle East. We will continue our actions to prevent broader conflict in the region, taking all necessary measures to defend the United States, its interests, and the American people, and we will choose the time, place, and manner of these actions ourselves.' Meanwhile, Democratic Senator Ben Cardin described the attack on American forces as an attempt to escalate tensions and characterized the U.S. response as a proportional reaction. Republican lawmaker Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, also called the Biden administration's response a clear message: 'America must send a clear message to the world that attacks on our forces will not be tolerated.' CBS News: The U.S. has finalized plans to attack Iranian proxies in Iraq and Syria. The U.S. holds the 'Islamic Resistance of Iraq' responsible for the drone attack on its soldiers in Jordan; revenge is on the way. The U.S.: The time for suspending Kata'ib Hezbollah's activities has passed; we will hold them accountable. A warning from a former U.S. official: The Middle East is in a dangerous state; Biden should be cautious. The Pentagon: Suspending Kata'ib Hezbollah's operations will not affect U.S. retaliatory actions. A proposed resolution to 'sanction Iran's missile program' was approved in the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Three Republican representatives requested Biden to clarify the consequences of aligning with Iran for Iraq. The Mahsa Amini Law is on its way to Congress; efforts to intensify sanctions against senior Iranian officials.